June symposium to explore Dental School’s 150-year history of research and the vision for the future3 min read
Ann Arbor, Mich., March 27, 2025 – An agenda of preeminent experts in dentistry, dental education, patient care, research and history will join a symposium June 12-13 that celebrates the sesquicentennial of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
“150 Years of Innovation in Oral Health Sciences” will look at both the history of dentistry over the last century and a half as well as “Visionary Horizons: Transforming Oral and Craniofacial Health for the Next 150 Years.”
About 25 speakers and moderators will share their expertise in looking backward and forward to define the state of dentistry along with dental, oral and craniofacial research as it stands in 2025.
The symposium is part of a year-long slate of events as the school celebrates its founding in 1875. Its longstanding history of groundbreaking clinical care, scientific research, dental education and leadership in the profession of dentistry has made it one of the top dental schools in the world.
Current and emeritus faculty members from the dental school, along with thought leaders in dentistry and research from around the country, will be among the speakers who address topics in various areas, including:
• AI in Oral Health: Transforming Research, Education and Clinical Care
• Dental Caries: from Basic into Clinical Research Driving Policies and Clinical Practice
• Advances in Regenerative Medicine and Restorative Dentistry through Biofabrication
• Transforming Oncology: Insights into Cancer Stem Cells and Patient Management
Among the speakers and moderators will be James McNamara, a world renown U-M orthodontics researcher and professor emeritus; John Drach, a U-M professor emeritus of dentistry and medicinal chemistry; Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, Deputy Director, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; Christian Stohler, former Dean of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine; Margherita Fontana, U-M professor of dentistry and leading researcher in the field of childhood caries; Marco Bottino, a U-M professor with expertise in regenerative medicine; and Max Wicha, a professor of cancer oncology at Michigan Medicine.
The day and a half symposium starts with a full day on Thursday, June 12, and finishes with a half-day on Friday, June 13. The event is being held at the Biomedical Science Research Building (BSRB), a short walk from the School of Dentistry. The symposium is designated for 10 Continuing Education credits.
More information and registration is available on the symposium web page on the School of Dentistry website.
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The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral healthcare education, research, patient care and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the school to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu. Email: [email protected], or (734) 615-1971.