Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

10/19/2026

Our CDM community joined students from across CUIMC for Homecoming on Haven, taking a break together and getting to know more of their campus. They browsed photos in the CUIMC archives’ yearbooks, sat for caricatures, and checked out campus programs and resources.

Special shoutout to D1 Preksha Mittal, who collected all eight stamps by connecting with fellow schools and exploring all that CUIMC has to offer, taking first place in the Homecoming game! 🏆🦁

10/16/2026

The next great CDM club starts with “what if we…?” 🦷 💙

All four class councils joined fellow students for dinner to discuss upcoming events and vote on three exciting new clubs! Our vibrant club community is a big part of life at CDM, bringing students together around shared interests and adding to what they learn in the classroom.

10/15/2026

Michelle Mirsky, DDS ’77, was recognized alongside her fellow Columbia alumni medalists during the Columbia Alumni Leaders Experience 2026 this past weekend. Honored for decades of service to her alumni community, Dr. Mirsky, the past president of CDM’s Alumni Association Executive Committee, was joined by fellow committee members to celebrate the occasion.

Hosted by the Columbia Alumni Association, the two-day conference brings together alumni volunteer leaders from across the University to exchange ideas and develop skills they can apply in their professions and volunteer roles. The Alumni Leaders Luncheon featured a conversation with President Mnookin and recognition of the alumni medalists.

Pictured from left: Treasurer Michelle Skelton, DDS ’22, Ortho ’25; Vice President Angelo Ostuni, DDS ’02, MD ’06, OMFS ’08; Alumni Medalist and Past President Michelle Mirsky, DDS ’77; President Mina Kim, BC ’02, DDS ’10; Past President Stephanie Dumanian, DDS ’11; and Sydney Shapiro, DDS/MPH ’21, Peds ’24.

10/14/2026

Tiny teeth, big questions! 🦷

Our PGY-1 pediatric dentistry residents joined CDM’s American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Club to share their experiences at Columbia, offer advice, and answer questions from DDS students interested in pursuing pediatric dentistry.

Our residents are such wonderful resources for our DDS students as they consider where their dental careers might take them!

10/13/2026

At the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series, Dr. Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the Health Policy Institute and chief of international relations at the American Dental Association (ADA), examined why improvements in oral health have been uneven across age groups and how health policy can help address these disparities.

His lecture explored opportunities to expand dental coverage for adults and older Americans, better integrate dental and medical care, and place greater emphasis on prevention.

The event also sparked a lively discussion about the role of academic research in informing policy decisions and improving oral health across the lifespan.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4jdSQYh

Dr. Marko Vujicic examined disparities in oral health across age groups and proposed reforms to dental coverage, medical-dental integration, and prevention.

10/12/2026

The Division of Periodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine has been awarded the Charles W. Finley Education Grant from the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation.

Special recognition goes to Dr. Haemin Chin, a faculty member in the Division of Periodontics, whose dedication and efforts were instrumental in securing this educational grant.

With support from the grant, the Division will host an external expert in periodontal microsurgical techniques for a special educational program at CDM. The program will provide advanced instruction on the application of microsurgical principles and techniques across a range of periodontal and implant procedures. Periodontics residents and faculty will participate in the program, creating a valuable opportunity for advanced learning, professional development, and exchange of clinical expertise.

10/09/2026

CDM’s Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) members joined dental students and practitioners from across the country at the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) Annual Meeting and HSDA Student Regional Conference, October 1–3. Students toured dental school facilities and heard from speakers across specialties, gaining insight into residency options and the growing role of AI and digital technology in dental practice. They also had time to exchange experiences with fellow students and get to know the wider Hispanic dental community.

10/08/2026

Familiar faces and plenty of smiles in Seattle! 🦷

The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine Alumni Association and Dr. Sidney Eisig, director of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, hosted a reception during 2026 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Annual Meeting in Seattle. Alumni, residents, and faculty gathered to reconnect and celebrate our OMFS community.

10/07/2026

From dental school videos to connecting with patients 🦷📱

CDM’s Aesthetics Club welcomed Dr. Garrett Hawley to share his journey from LECOM dental school to a practice in NYC, along with his growing focus on aesthetic dentistry. He shared how making videos with dental school friends helped him build his brand and reach the patients he treats today. Students explored how social media can support their clinical interests, connect them with patients, and help shape their future careers.

10/06/2026

It was a 5K kind of weekend at CDM! 🏃‍♀️🦷

The running continued in Central Park, where Columbia Periodontics residents and faculty, joined by DDS students, came together for the PerioDash 5K.

Team COLUMBIAPERIO took on the course to raise awareness of periodontal and peri-implant diseases and support the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation and its mission to advance periodontal education, research, and patient care.