ACD
WINTER 2025
REGENCY REGENCY
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American College of Dentists
SECTION UPDATES
NEW YORK SECTION | HUDSON MOHAWK SECTION | WESTERN NEW YORK SECTION | NEW ENGLAND SECTION | QUEBEC SECTION | ATLANTIC PROVINCES SECTION
REGENCY 1
Looking Ahead February 3, 2026 New York Section Annual Awards Banquet
Regent Report
Penn Club
January 14, 2026 New England Annual Business Meeting
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7pm via Zoom
January 29-31, 2026 New England Yankee Dental Congress Yankeedental.com for details
Contents Regent Report
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ACD President’s Message
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Executive Director Report
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Fellow Spotlight
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New York Section Report
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Western New York Section Report
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New England Section Report 8 Hudson-Mohawk Section Report
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Atlantic Provinces
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Quebec Section Report
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SPEA Update
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Useful Links
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he winter months and holiday season are upon us. As we look ahead to the new year, let’s take a moment to look back and celebrate all that our Fellows and Sections are doing to support the American College of Dentists. We are blessed to have so many active Sections within our Regency. I hope you can all find inspiration from each other as well as from the student SPEA Chapters who also provided updates in this Newsletter. In the coming months, revamped ethics courses will debut on the “dentalethics.org” portion of the ACD National’s website. Be on the lookout! In addition, in the new year there will also be opportunities available for ACD Fellows to participate in the next sessions of the SHIFT Leadership trainings. The deadline for Nominations is February 1st, 2026. Please look to your peers to nominate your Outstanding Colleagues to Fellowship of the ACD. A reminder that the Nomination process has been
“We are blessed to have so many active Sections within our Regency. I hope you can all find inspiration from each other as well as from the student SPEA Chapters...” updated and ACD Fellows are now allowed to approach prospective candidates to ask if they are interested in becoming a Fellow and to discuss the value of Fellowship in the ACD. The rest of the process remains confidential, as before. If any ACD questions arise in the coming months, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Happy Holidays! Julie
ACD President’s Update
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s there anything happening in the ACD that does not include Regency 1? Every time I log into Facebook, I see another post from Regency 1; I wish the other Regencies had that “problem”. There is so much to be proud of in your Sections; it brings satisfaction to me and makes me want to do more. The friendly competition between Regency 1 and 4 when Paula Friedman and I were Regents spearheaded the beginning of an increase in nominations post Covid, and with the excellent work that Dr. Julie Connolly is doing this resulted in 343 new Fellows being inducted in Washington DC. Your generosity in giving led the way in last year’s End of the Year Giving Campaign. Why is this giving important? Gifts to the Foundation are what fuels the projects that the College does. The College is the vehicle that delivers these projects. Here is what your gifts are funding for 2026.
• Ethics Booklets for the White Coat Ceremonies
“Nominations are critical to the longevity of the College. With our 2026 Annual Meeting being the first standalone meeting that I know of, it is important for it to be a success. That success depends on your presence and those who I know you will nominate.”
• More ethics videos for dentalethics.org • SHIFT Leadership events in Rockville, MD and Vancouver BC • The second-year long class of twenty-five participants in Sweet Spot Leadership • Spring Leadership Conference in Niagara on the Lake • Collaboration and funding to sister organizations such as NDA, HDA and SAID • Investment in SPEA Giving is not the only need of the College. Nominations are critical to the longevity of the College. With our 2026 Annual Meeting being the first standalone meeting that I know of, it is important for it to be a success. That success depends on your presence and those who I know you will nominate. Someone saw value in your dental and community life that mirrored that of the College and nominated you for Fellowship. It is time for you to do likewise. The future of the College is bright. In fact, in Washington DC the ACD was the talk of all the dental meetings that week with the sellout of the JW Marriott, to the Fellows Forum, to the Ethics Course, to the Regency Dinners, to the sellout gala dinner at the Observatory and to the record convocation. In an era where organizations are declining, the ACD is bucking that trend. And it is all because of you. Thank you Regency 1. Terry L. Norris, ACD President
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American College of Dentists | Regency 1 | Winter 2025
Message from the Executive Director Much to be Thankful for.
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he College experienced one of the best Annual Meetings and Convocations in recent memory as told by many long standing ACD Fellows. We had a record number of candidates inducted as well as an overflow crowd of seasoned Fellows and guests that spilled out of the enormous ballroom at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC. I’m happy to report that Regency 1 was a leader in attendance in every category!
The engagement and excitement didn’t end there. Our Fellows Forum session on establishing Leadership Standards in Dentistry was a big hit with attendees and generated considerable discussion. In addition, over 400 candidates and Fellows attended our first ever Regency dinners that allowed candidates to mingle with their new colleagues in an outstanding social setting. Again, Regency 1 had the highest attendance at their Regency dinner. We have much to be thankful for as a profession and within the College. We are establishing “best in class” programming in ethics and leadership for Fellows as well as non-Fellow dentists and dental students. To reach our highest potential, we must continue to raise money through the ACD Foundation (ACDF) that funds those programs. Our ACDF “End of the Year Giving Campaign” kicked off on Giving Tuesday, December 2. We hope you will consider making a donation. Happiest of Holidays, Mike Graham Executive Director, American College of Dentists
FELLOW SPOTLIGHT Dr. John Young
Past-President of the New York Academy of Dentistry, Past-Chair of the ACD NY Section
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recently completed my two-year term as Chair of the Greater New York Dental Meeting, founded more than a century ago through the partnership of the New York County and Second District Dental Societies. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of my first GNYDM—an event that has shaped my professional life. Our committee is responsible for organizing the continuing education programs, social events, and exhibit hall that together strengthen our profession by expanding knowledge, building enthusiasm, and ultimately improving patient care. Each year, we welcome approximately 12,000 registered dentists over six days, making the GNYDM one of the premier dental meetings in the world. John J. Young Jr., D.D.S Greater New York Dental Meeting General Chairman 2024-2025
Julie Connolly, DDS | julieconnollydds@nyperio.com | 212.888.7477
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REGENCY
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NY Section Chair Report Chair: Dr. Lorna Flamer-Caldera
Greetings! It is indeed fitting to spend time during the cold of winter to write about warm, memorable moments. In August, I was honored to attend and address the students at the White Coat Ceremony of the class of 2029 at Columbia University School of Dental Medicine. Inside the program guide, the White Coat history includes the statement that the white coat, “a symbol of knowledge, compassion, and the professional interest of the healthcare practitioner, serves as a guidepost in the doctor-patient relationship.” These words align with the mission of the ACD and I welcomed the opportunity to tell these students, who are just beginning their dental journey, about the organization and encourage them to consider the pillars of our foundation as elements integral to their educational process. I also delivered a copy of the ACD’s “Ethics Handbook for Dentistry” to each student present. Our section’s Fall Meeting, held on October 15th, underscored the manner in which collaborative efforts between medical and dental professionals can improve patient health and longevity. Our speaker was Dr. Brett Sealove, Chair of the Department of Cardiology at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. His presentation offered an eloquent, in-depth perspective on periodontal disease
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and cardiovascular outcomes. Dr. Sealove also spoke on ways to maintain the vital pathway between our two professions. His experience and knowledge were evident in the lively, interactive discussion that followed. I also attended the ACD Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. this past October. I particularly enjoyed the Regency 1 Breakout Session, led by Bill Calnon. During the session, each Section was asked to present activities, successes, and challenges. After listing some of the activities and programs put on by the New York Section, I spoke about the challenge of cultivating the interest of new Fellows, attracting them to become active within their first two years. Really– finding the “hook” to keep them engaged. At our section’s Fall meeting, one suggested solution that was met with some support was to offer small group social sessions held at the offices of senior Fellows. I also believe that the ACD fact sheet that was distributed during the breakout session would be very helpful to share with new Fellows. Although the information is available on the ACD website, having it directly handy in print form for discussion is more useful. Our section is also creating consistent opportunities for addressing students at all the white coat ceremonies that take place in our section. A noteworthy success is our continued support of the SPEA chapters in the New York Section’s four dental schools. We fund students to attend the National SPEA meeting, the Yankee
American College of Dentists | Regency 1 | Winter 2024
Leadership meeting, and to hold one local meeting a year with ACD New York Fellows.
January. Incoming Chair, Dr. Stephen Cho, will be in attendance.
The highlight of the Annual Meeting was the convocation, which included the highest number of inductees ever. The atmosphere was joyous and the pride of accomplishment was evident in the faces of inductees and families alike.
The ASDA District 2 Conference will be held in New York in January and several of our section Fellows will be participating in an ethics-focused panel discussion at the conference. Ruotong Wang, the ASDA Ethics Chair for the district, is also an active SPEA officer at Columbia dental school.
On November 30th, section Fellow Dr. Leslie Smithey presented “Ethical Considerations in the Age of Social Media”, an ACD sponsored lecture, at the Greater New York Dental Meeting. Her engaging presentation highlighted the very real ethical challenges social media can pose to dentistry. Leslie is Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs at New York University College of Dentistry, and we are proud of her contribution to representing our section. Upcoming events for our section include the Regency 1 Leadership meeting in
Julie Connolly, DDS | julieconnollydds@nyperio.com | 212.888.7477
Our New York Section Annual Awards Banquet and Installation of Officers will take place on February 3, 2026, at the Penn Club. Finally, on a note of good and welfare, I am pleased to be stepping into the role of General Chair for the Greater New York Dental Meeting for 2026 and 2027. It is the premier dental meeting in the United States. Lorna Flamer-Caldera, DDS, FACD, FICD, FAGD New York Section Chair
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REGENCY
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Western New York Section Report Chair: Dr. William R. Calnon
Greetings from the Western New York Section of ACD Regency 1,
ACD FOUNDATION
Well, its back!! Whereas the annual return of winter never surprises us, many still hold out hope that the calendar page following December might be March. Our District encompasses the northern, central, and far western aspects of New York State. Our weather is greatly influenced by our neighboring Great Lakes, specifically Ontario, Erie, and Georgian Bay (part of Huron). Cold air traveling over relatively warm lake waters creates vigorous lake effect squalls…. many with very localized snow amounts measured in inches to meters! The above is a photo of a quick squall near my house yesterday. This one was from a connection of Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario.
On “Giving Tuesday”, 2025, I sent a communication to our WNY Fellows as well. So far, it looks like it being well received. People love a challenge!
A review of goals articulated in early 2025 for the WNY Section, reveals that we accomplished many with others well under way. A few of the highlights are:
The WNY Section has always been a true believer and supporter of the Foundation. Last year, Mary Kay and I tried a little different approach and offered a challenge grant that matched the first $2,500 in Fellows’ contributions. I was so proud of the response for my WNY colleagues.
FOCUS ON NOMINATIONS We have greatly emphasized to our Fellows the need to nominate worthy candidates for Fellowship. The mechanism has been greatly improved for sponsors and we can now advise a potential candidate why we are asking for information from them. One more opportunity to discuss the value of ACD Membership.
Historically, the WNY Section would have 4-6 candidates accepted for Fellowship. In 2025, that number grew to 19 accepted candidates with many of them inducted at the Annual Session in Washington, DC.
Many Fellows neglect to nominate younger dentists, probably because they may not have extensive background to adequately complete the nomination form as it is written…. specifically research and publications. WNY has been stressing to our Fellows to highly consider younger area dentists who have demonstrated
In 2026, we are anticipating growing our ranks even more!
an upward trajectory through many avenues and answer the sponsors questions accordingly.
ACD MEMBERSHIP
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American College of Dentists | Regency 1 | Winter 2024
SPEA AND RESIDENCY PROGRAMS Fellows Charlie Travaglioto and Elaine Davis have kept ACD present withing the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine with presentations to Graduate students as well as D-1 and D-4 classes. A newer focus has been on the many residency programs within our Section. The past two years have flown by and I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as the Chair of the WNY Section. My term is about to conclude and I would like to offer a favorite quote of mine:
“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
– Winston Churchill
My continued involvement in the ACD will continue for the foreseeable future as I was recently appointed to fulfill an unexpired term of a Regent-at -Large. I pray that our paths will continue to cross in many sectors.
many of you will have chance to meet her soon. I have worked closely with Theresa for years in many roles and have ultimate confidence in her. I asked Theresa to offer a few thoughts:
“I am pleased to accept the position of WNY Section Chair for the ACD. It is exciting to be able to assist in an organization which gives so much to the profession of dentistry. It is my sincere hope that we will be able to engage more individuals to become members, to take on active roles within the ACD, and to propel it forward.” – Theresa A unique Holiday wish for all of you from Western New York would be delinquent if at least part of it did not come from Bedford Falls and the iconic Christmas movie “It’s a wonderful Life”.
It has been my honor to work with the other Sections Chairs in Regency 1. The Regency is indeed fortunate to have so many gifted leaders! I cannot offer enough accolades to our Regent, Julie Connolly. She has done so much more than act as our Regent…. she has successfully bonded geographically diverse Sections with varied thoughts and ideas into a very unified Regency. That was definitely apparent in our Regency 1 Breakout Session in Washington and well as the Regency Dinner. Julie is a close friend and colleague whom I relied on often during the past two years. She was always available and willing to offer advice…. THANK YOU, JULIE!!!
The setting for Bedford Falls and the movie was a village literally in Theresa’s backyard:
Another great friend and colleague, Dr. Theresa Casper-Klock has been elected to be the next Section Chair for WNY. She will be attending the Regency 1 Meeting in Boston in January, so
All my best...
Julie Connolly, DDS | julieconnollydds@nyperio.com | 212.888.7477
So, believe in things we sometimes push aside and remember. “Every time you hear a bell, an angel gets its wings”. Enjoy your families and friends. Let your lives slow down a little, and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HANUKKAH! HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2026! Bill
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New England Section Report Chair: Dr. Janis Moriarty
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ince our last Regency Newsletter in the summer, the busy season has been upon us in the New England Section. The Fall saw many of our officers and Fellows in Washington, DC for the Annual Meeting and Convocation. We are extremely proud of nominating and welcoming another large class of new Fellows into our section, this year numbering 27! This is in part due to the work of our Ambassadors, who serve as liasions to help identify and recruit prospective Fellows. We were well represented by New England Fellows taking part in the Convocation Procession (Charlie Silvius and Maria Smith, carrying the Torch and Mace, respectively), our Editor Celeste Kong accepting the Section Newsletter Award, and new Honorary Fellow Chatherine Sarkis lecturing at the ASDE Ethics Course. Congratulations to our own Bob Faiella as he embarks on his term as President of the ACD Foundation, following the completion of his term as ACD President. As winter approaches so does our planning in earnest for Yankee Dental Congress, where we host a unique constellation of events during the three day meeting! On Thursday, January 29, 2026, we are presenting a two hour CE lecture given by Editor Kadambari Rawal, Honorary Fellow Catherine Sarkis, and Talia Miller entitled Ethical
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Considerations While Addressing Oral Health Throughout the Life Spectrum. Course #419TL will run from 1pm-3pm, with an optional social meet-up following the lecture. Our annual Awards Luncheon partnering with ICD on Friday, January 30th, will honor our new Fellows as our Guests. Outstanding Student Leader Awards will be presented to an exemplary senior student from each of the five dental schools in New England, and we will present the Thomas F. Winkler III Leadership Award to Dr. Bob Bartro, Past Section Chair, in recognition of his exemplary service to the profession of dentistry in the state of Rhode Island. ACD Executive Director Mike Graham will be in attendance, as will ADA President Rich Rosato from Concord, NH. We extend our invitation to any and all ACD Section Leaders to Yankee (www.yankeedental. com) and to our Luncheon (https://events.Humantix.com/ acd-ide-combined-luncheonda3prg6p). Friday night invited guests will head across town to the Harvard Club for Julie Connolly’s last Regent’s Dinner. On Saturday, January 31st from 7:30am to 11:30, Julie will hold the annual Regency Leadership Breakfast where we look forward to interacting with our SPEA leaders and many section chairs. Preceding Yankee is our Annual Business Meeting which will be American College of Dentists | Regency 1 | Winter 2024
held on January 14th at 7pm via Zoom. The virtual platform works well for our region of six states, allowing more to attend than would be able to in person. We will present our slate of officers and update the Section on all of our events. We’ll recognize our 15 and 25 year Fellows, and are extremely blessed to have two 50 year Fellows: Dr. Daniel Green, retired Chair of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine’s Department of Endodontics, and Dr. Abraham Haddad, retired perioJulie Connolly, DDS | julieconnollydds@nyperio.com | 212.888.7477
dontist and a vital member of the Worcester, MA business community. We are planning a webinar on ACD Nominations 101 just after the holidays yet still in advance of the February 1st Nominations deadline, and are hoping to sponsor the student ethics summit with the BU SPEA Chapter in the spring. On behalf of our Board and Ambassadors, I wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year! [9]
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Hudson-Mohawk Section Report Chair: Dr. Wayne Harrison
The Hudson-Mohawk Chair, Wayne Harrison, attended the ACD Annual Meeting this year in Washington D.C. The included photo is Dr. Harrison with Brendan Cooney, Section Treasurer, Nancy Cavotta new Fellow and Lionel Bulfor New Fellow.
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American College of Dentists | Regency 1 | Winter 2024
Atlantic Provinces Section Report Chair: Dr. Alan Robinson
The Atlantic Provinces Vice-Chair, Dr. Marco Chiarot of Halifax, attended the ACD Annual Meeting this year in Washington D.C. He presented the Atlantic Provinces Chairs report at the Regency 1 Breakout session on behalf of Section Chair, Dr. Alan Robinson. Dr. Robinson was unable to make the annual meeting due to a conflict with the Canadian National Examining Board. The Section saw five new Fellows inducted into the ACD at the meeting!
Julie Connolly, DDS | julieconnollydds@nyperio.com | 212.888.7477
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REGENCY
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Quebec Section Report Chair: Dr. Veronique Benhamou
Quebec Section Chair, Dr. Veronique Benhamou, attended the Annual Meeting this October in Washington D.C. She looks forward to working with fellow Quebec Section Board Member Dr. Duy Dat Vu in the new year to engage Quebec section Fellows.
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American College of Dentists | Regency 1 | Winter 2024
SPEA Update
COLUMBIA
Reflection on the SPEA National Meeting Lauren Monette President of Columbia SPEA Chapter
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his October, I had the privilege of attending the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association (SPEA) Annual Session in Washington, D.C., alongside another Columbia dental student, Ruotong Wang. The conference began on Friday, October 24th, with a warm welcome from the national SPEA executive board and a networking breakfast. The first lecture, Business Lessons by Dr. Mark Costes, was especially insightful. He spoke about the financial and emotional challenges new dentists often face and shared strategies for overcoming debt, preventing burnout, and building successful practices. Following that, the national board hosted an engaging residency and job panel where residents and dentists offered valuable advice on applications, job negotiations, and navigating the transition after dental school. During lunch, I had the chance to meet dental students from across the country and hear about their experiences. Later in the day, the “Ignite Presentations” stood out as one of my favorite parts of the session. Students delivered short talks on topics ranging from ethical communication to personal growth, each one unique and inspiring. The day concluded with a lecture by Dr. Marko Vujicic on Big Picture Dental Market Trends, which provided an eye-opening look at the future of dentistry and how our generation will shape it. That evening, the SPEA board organized a beautiful riverboat cruise down the Potomac River. It was the perfect opportunity to connect with peers in a relaxed setting and share experiences beyond the classroom.
Julie Connolly, DDS | julieconnollydds@nyperio.com | 212.888.7477
Attending the SPEA Annual Session was a truly enriching experience. It provided not only professional knowledge but also personal growth and renewed motivation for the kind of provider I aspire to become. Saturday began with a welcome breakfast and an inspiring talk by ACD President Dr. Terry Norris, who emphasized the importance of finding community in dentistry. Dr. Elizabeth Carr then led an energetic and interactive lecture on “Courage,” focusing on leadership, empathy, and teamwork in professional settings. I found her message about “leading with your feet”—being an active, hands-on leader—particularly meaningful. In the afternoon, we participated in breakout sessions on motivational interviewing and interpersonal communication, which allowed us to practice skills essential for patient care. After lunch at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant, Dr. Kjeld Nelson shared real-world ethical case studies, followed by Dr. Danny Carney’s engaging lecture on financial literacy for young dentists. Attending the SPEA Annual Session was a truly enriching experience. It provided not only professional knowledge but also personal growth and renewed motivation for the kind of provider I aspire to become. It was inspiring to meet so many students who value ethics, leadership, and patient-centered care as much as I do. I’m grateful to the American College of Dentists for supporting such an impactful event that encourages reflection, collaboration, and professionalism within the dental community.
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REGENCY
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SPEA Update
Stony Brook Update By Naomi Newen President of Columbia SPEA Chapter
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his past semester, Stony Brook SPEA held its biannual Ethics and Eats event, providing a welcoming space for open discussion on ethical scenarios we may encounter in dentistry. Held at a local restaurant, the event fostered meaningful conversation over food and refreshments, with a focus on patient care challenges and the responsible use of social media in dental practice. We also organized a thought-provoking open panel discussion on the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry. The panel brought together
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esteemed dental specialists in periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial radiology, and orthodontics, who shared expert perspectives on the ethical considerations surrounding the integration of AI into clinical practice and emphasized the importance of critical thinking within our profession. We are looking forward to continuing to promote ethical awareness, critical thinking, and open dialogue among students and colleagues as we support the future of dentistry.
American College of Dentists | Regency 1 | Winter 2024
Useful Links ACDF End of Year Giving Campaign “Your support of the American College of Dentists Foundation will directly help the College strengthen its efforts to keep our profession strong, vibrant, relevant, effective, and ethical—not resting on our reputation or past accomplishments but working tirelessly to improve the profession and its impact.”
Your Donation Supports our Mission!
– Dr. Stephen A. Ralls, Former ACD President and Executive Director
Nomination and Selection of Fellows The common characteristic shared by successful candidates for Fellowship is demonstrated leadership in some aspect of dentistry or public service. The selection process for Fellowship utilizes a well-established, confidential peer review system evaluating professional and community leadership positions, contributions, and credentials. Please nominate outstanding colleagues today!
ETHICS HANDBOOK FOR DENTISTRY
Review the 2024-2029 ACD Strategic Plan
Julie Connolly, DDS | julieconnollydds@nyperio.com | 212.888.7477
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