News
SDM, alumni hold annual dental meeting
The 34th annual Buffalo Niagara Dental Meeting took place earlier this month with an emphasis on continuing education courses offered by UB School of Dental Medicine alumni and UB faculty members, some of whom also are alumni.
UB dental students also played a large role in the three-day event, held Nov. 2-4 in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. The annual meeting is sponsored by the UB Dental Alumni Association in conjunction with the dental school.
Alumni speakers this year included Scott Benjamin, ’78; Joseph Breloff, ’75; Robert Majewski, ’76; Michael Gelb, ’89; Ronald Kaminer, ’90; and UB faculty members Chester Gary, ’78, clinical assistant professor, Restorative Dentistry; John Asaro, ’73, clinical assistant professor, Periodontics and Endodontics; Michael Hatton, ’82, clinical associate professor, Oral Diagnostic Sciences; David Croglio, ’87, clinical assistant professor, Restorative Dentistry; Raymond Miller, ’85, clinical associate professor, Oral Diagnostic Sciences; Mary Bush, ’99, assistant professor, Restorative Dentistry; and Othman Shibly, ’99, assistant professor, Periodontics and Endodontics.
Faculty members gave lectures such subjects as risk management, ethics and jurisprudence, sports dentistry and forensics.
Approximately 2,600 people attended this year’s meeting, according to the dental school alumni association; many stayed at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo and shopped and ate at local establishments, contributing to the local economy.
In addition to continuing education courses, the meeting featured an exhibitor floor where more than 150 vendors and dental groups provided information on products and services. Twelve dental students also displayed their research poster projects on the exhibitor floor. Other activities included a mentoring luncheon and the reunion dinner dance.
A highlight of the meeting was the Robert J. Genco Distinguished Speaker Series on Nov. 3, featuring guest speaker William Giannobile, director of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research, University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Giannobile also taught continuing education courses on periodontal medicine.
While hundreds of dentists and dental hygienists from across the region attended the meeting and registered for courses, another important group—dental school students—participated in the event by volunteering for setup duties for the opening night celebration. Students also introduced the speakers before their lectures, assisted in the registration area and managed the coat check, which served as a fundraiser for the student-run Buffalo Outreach and Community Assistance (BOCA) program.
Third-year dental student Jillian Rozanski said the meeting provided an opportunity to meet school alumni and talk to vendors whose products dental students will be considering purchasing once they start their own practice.
“I think it’s a great experience for students to attend if they utilize their time wisely. It can be a great opportunity to meet local dentists, network with UB alumni and ask questions about different dental products,” says Rozanski.
Reader Comments