Thomas C. Labenski Scholarship Endowment Fund

UB Dental students work in the simulation lab.

Third-year dental students with strong academic credentials and character receive scholarships through this fund.

Established in 1996 by Dr. Leonard Yee and Dr. Martha L. Cortes, this fund provides annual awards to third-year students in the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo.

Scholarship recipients typically have good academic standing and demonstrate exceptional character, and exemplify the characteristics of Tom Labenski when he did his training in Buffalo.

Current students within the School of Dental Medicine nominate peers; the recipient is selected by a committee.

The School of Dental Medicine is a pioneer in the field—a research titan, and a shining example of the best of dental education, community engagement and global leadership. Maintaining our lead is expensive. Increasing our lead requires a $43 million investment, more visionary donors and additional philanthropic support. But the payoff is immense: With your help, our world-class research, education, clinical facilities and experiences will better prepare our students, redefine and strengthen dental medicine, and improve the health of countless millions of people.

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Other Dental Medicine Funds

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Sandford B. Sugarman Memorial Fund for Continuing Dental Education
8/24/26
Established in 1980, the Sandford B. Sugarman Memorial Fund for Continuing Dental Education provide dental symposiums in memory of Sandford B. Sugarman.
UB Fund for the School of Dental Medicine
8/24/26
The UB School of Dental Medicine plays a critical role in advancing oral health in Buffalo-Niagara and around the world through its academic programs, research and community outreach. The UB Fund for the provides general support for the school.
Class of 1980 David Foti Memorial Award
8/24/26
Established in memory of Dr. David Foti, `80 by his classmates in the UB School of Dental Medicine Class of 1980, this fund supports an annual award to a student who has just completed their first year of dental school, and who displays strong spirit and character.
Dental Medicine Class of 1964 Endowed Scholarship Fund
8/24/26
The Dental Medicine Class of 1964 Endowed Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. Charles A. Smith II to provide annual scholarships to students of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. John J. Cunat Fund
8/24/26
Dr. John Cunat served for 40 years at UB — so it's fitting that the fund named in his honor continues to support educational events at the university.
Oral and Maxillofacial Residency Program
8/24/26
The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, part of the School of Dental Medicine, provides the full-scope of resident training for residents within the program. This fund supports the residency program, which offers residents independence and hands-on surgical training along with a strong emphasis on academics and evidence-based learning.
Ortho Clinic Renovation Fund
8/24/26
The UB School of Dental Medicine is undergoing a modernization for the first time since moving to Squire Hall in 1986.
Thomas C. Labenski Scholarship Endowment Fund
8/24/26
Established in 1996 by Dr. Leonard Yee and Dr. Martha L. Cortes, this fund provides annual awards to third-year students in the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo.
UB Dental - Patient Care Fund
8/24/26
The Patient Care Fund provides general assistance to patients who receive care through UB Dental.
UB Global Miles for Smiles Fund
8/24/26
At the School of Dental Medicine, we believe that education and oral health should be available for all people around the world. Our Global Miles for Smiles program delivers free dental care and education to refugees and others in need throughout the world. Under the leadership of Dr. Othman Shibly, Miles for Smiles is training volunteers and teachers at refugee camps in Lebanon to perform basic education and oral health care.
Class of 1949 Endowment
8/24/26
The Class of 1949 Endowment, established in 1990 by the School of Dental Medicine Class of 1949, provides annual financial aid to a fourth-year student who is well-rounded and places in the top one-third of their class in academic standing.
Dental School Scholarship Fund
8/24/26
Scholarships are an essential part of attracting and retaining top students, and ensuring that all students have access to an exceptional dental education.
Dr. Alan J. Drinnan Fund
8/24/26
Shortly after Dr. Alan Drinnan DDS '64 died unexpectedly, this fund was established to honor his memory, and provide financial assistance for students in the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences.
SDM Centennial Endowed Chair
8/24/26
Established by Dr. Barry A. Ruchlin and Dr. Earl I. Ullman, the SDM Endowed Chair fund is used to recruit and/or retain outstanding faculty for the betterment of UB’s School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Arnold Stern Fund in Endodontics
8/24/26
Research opportunities allow dental students to hone their skills, explore new interests and make vital contributions to the field of dental medicine.
Steven M. Robbins Memorial Scholarship Fund
8/24/26
This fund provides an annual scholarship to a third-year dental student at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine who is involved in both class and school affairs, and has an academic standing in the top third of the class.

Established in 1993 by Dr. Barry A. Ruchlin and Dr. Frederic M. Hirsh, the scholarship is in memory of Steven M. Robbins.
Oral Biology Graduate Student Research Fund
8/24/26
The Department of Oral Biology, part of the School of Dental Medicine, supports basic and clinical research directed to solve important problems affecting oral and general health.
Post-Graduate Prosthodontic Fund
8/24/26
Dental students studying prosthodontics at UB’s School of Dental Medicine receive support through this fund.
Dr. Paul R. Crombach Scholarship Fund
8/24/26
The family, friends, patients and colleagues of Paul Crombach, '71, created this endowed fund in his name to be used for an annual student award at the School of Dental Medicine.
Maryanne Mather Fund
8/24/26
The Maryanne Mather Fund provides annual scholarships for one or two dental students who have conducted research in the area of periodontics or preventative dentistry.
Dr. Robert J. Genco School of Dental Medicine Speakers Series Fund
8/24/26
The Robert J. Genco Distinguished Speaker Series Fund honors a well-known researcher in oral science and a tireless advocate for interdisciplinary research and entrepreneurship. Dr. Genco spent more than 50 years at UB before he died unexpectedtly in 2019.

News from the School of Dental Medicine

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UB donates hundreds of reusable face masks and face shields made by faculty and students to the Buffalo City Mission
12/3/20
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo has donated more than 200 reusable 3D-printed face masks and 100 face shields to the Buffalo City Mission for distribution to its clients and staff.
Study: How saliva is made
11/17/20
Research reveals the details of how salivary glands collectively produce the constellation of proteins found in saliva, opening the door to important medical research.
NIH awards UB $21.7 million for clinical and translational science
2/10/20
The award recognizes UB’s progress in bringing the benefits of clinical and translational science to patients, including the tripling of clinical trials since 2015.
2020 in review: How UB’s faculty, staff and students fought COVID-19
12/18/20
Members of the UB community found an abundance of ways to fight the pandemic in Western New York and beyond.
UB-led team developing 3D-printed, reusable N95-like respirators
5/5/20
Prototype submitted for emergency FDA approval; could help ease shortage of life-saving PPE.
Donor Duo Supports New Dental Medicine Center
5/23/23
The revamped Squire Hall facility provides dental care to WNY, advances clinical research and promotes interdisciplinary education.
UB spinoff awarded grant to advance medicinal toothpaste
6/8/20
The UB School of Dental Medicine and OptiMed Technology were awarded a manufacturing grant from the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund to accelerate the development of their products to the market.