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Detroit Mercy Dental wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!
Friday December 20, 2024The School of Dentistry will close at the end of normal business hours on Dec. 20 in observance of Christmas and the holiday season.
Normal business operations resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. McNichols Campus and School of Law classes resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
The Corktown Campus will adhere to the following hours during the Christmas and holiday break:
- Friday, December 20—closed at 8 p.m.
- Dec. 21-25: Closed and no access available.
- Dec. 26-27: Access limited to faculty/staff with approval from dean’s office.
- Dec. 28-Jan. 1, 2025: Closed and no access available.
- Jan. 2-3, 2025: Access limited to faculty/staff with approval from dean’s office.
- Jan. 4-5, 2025: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For those who are interested in making an end-of-the-year donation to Detroit Mercy, please visit https://dental.udmercy.edu/give.php
We hope everyone has a safe and joyous Christmas and holiday season!
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Happy Thanksgiving from UDM Dental
Tuesday November 26, 2024
The University of Detroit Mercy’s Corktown Campus will close for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 28, and open for regular business at 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2
Have a safe and joy-filled Thanksgiving! -
Vermont State Dental Society, UDM partner to bring dental health education center to Vermont
Friday September 20, 2024
The Vermont State Dental Society (VSDS), University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Peter Welch are partnering to bring an innovative Dental Oral Health Education Center to Vermont in fall 2027. This new dental clinic and education program would bring UDM students to Vermont to complete their final years of training – strengthening the dental care provider pipeline and expanding access to much-needed care across the state.
At a press conference on Sept. 20, VSDS, UDM, Sanders and Welch celebrated the program receiving its accreditation from the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA) – an essential step in establishing the teaching program in Vermont.
Dean Aksu at Vermont State Dental Society press conference
Sanders and Welch are working to secure $4.6 million in federal funding through the FY25 Congressionally Directed Spending process to support this historic initiative. The funding was recently approved by the Appropriations Committee and needs to be passed by the House and the Senate before being signed into law by President Joe Biden.
“By partnering with University of Detroit Mercy, we are opening doors to educational opportunities that haven’t existed before in Vermont, and increasing access to oral healthcare for Vermonters as well,” said Justin Hurlburt, board president of the Vermont State Dental Society. “We are excited to partner with Detroit Mercy on this opportunity to expand the dentistry workforce in the state,” he added.
“University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry has a long tradition of graduating practice-ready clinicians and it is an honor to help bring the Detroit Mercy DDS program to the Green Mountain State,” said Mert N. Aksu, dean of Detroit Mercy Dental. “UDM recognizes the need for dentists in Vermont, and looks forward to providing a program to educate and graduate dentists in the state.”
“The suffering that the dental care crisis causes Vermonters and people across this country too often goes unseen and unaddressed,” said Sen. Sanders. “Far too many, especially in rural areas like Vermont, do not have access to a dentist, which forces them to either travel long distances or go without the care they need. In some Vermont counties, there is a year-long waitlist. In others, there are no dentists at all who treat kids with Medicaid. And because we don’t have a dental school in the state, there’s no natural pipeline for dentists to train and eventually work in our communities. It is time for that to change. This historic initiative brings me a lot of hope for the care and education opportunities we can deliver to Vermont. I am proud to partner with the Vermont Dental Society, University of Detroit Mercy, and Senator Welch to make this a reality. Let’s get it done.”
“This accreditation is an important step forward in the process to expand access to dentists here in Vermont, so every patient can get the care they need. I look forward to working with Senator Sanders on this important issue, and will continue to advocate for more federal funding to support workforce development in dentistry and health care across our state,” said Sen. Welch.
University of Detroit Mercy-Vermont will increase oral health education opportunities and address the statewide dental provider shortage. The tentative location for the new center will be in Chittenden County.
VSDS, a nonprofit professional healthcare organization whose mission is to improve the oral health of Vermonters and to serve the profession of dentistry in the state, is pioneering the new institution with UDM as it brings more than 90 years of experience in educating dentists worldwide.
Beginning in the fall of 2025, the partnership between VSDS and UDM will include two years of foundational and preclinical education at the UDM School of Dentistry Campus in Detroit, followed by two years of clinical and didactic education at a new dental clinic based in Colchester. The University of Detroit Mercy-Vermont dental program will offer DDS dental education in the state of Vermont, accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA).
University of Detroit Mercy-Vermont will house modern classrooms with on-site clinics to support its clinical education program and serve as a public health Medicaid clinic to provide dental care to qualifying individuals. Extending its reach beyond its Colchester facility, the new dental program will partner with clinical organizations in Vermont to reach areas with a shortage of dental health professionals and underserved populations.
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Fourth-year dental student transforms smiles
Friday May 31, 2024
Join us as we celebrate one of our recent graduates, Mohammed Shbib, DDS ’24. As a fourth-year student, Shbib showcased his passion for precision and esthetics with a beautiful anterior case. Here is what Dr. Shbib had to say about the experience:
During my time as a fourth-year dental student at UDM Dental, I was privileged to lead a technique-sensitive cosmetic case involving six anterior ceramic crowns. This case was a significant milestone, showcasing the trust and guidance from my esteemed mentors, Dr. Rasha Ali, Dr. Mark Mortiere, Dr. Gary Bonior and Dr. Dincer Gurun.
UDM Dental’s rigorous curriculum and hands-on clinical training have been instrumental in preparing me for real-world dental challenges. The diverse patient pool and state-of-the-art dental facilities at UDM have equipped me with the skills necessary to tackle complex cases with confidence.
The journey through this case was challenging yet immensely fulfilling. The transformation of my patient’s smile was a profound reminder of why I chose this career path.
Thank you to my clinic leads, everyone at UDM Dental, and especially to my family who supported me throughout this journey. Despite living far away, their encouragement and belief in my abilities have been my anchor.
As I look forward to my career, my ambition is to become a distinguished dentist and continue making UDM proud. Ready to transform more smiles and make a lasting impact!
Respectfully,
Mohamed Shbib, MBA, DDS ’24Swipe to see the stunning before and after photos
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Claudia Larochelle’s Journey to National ASDA Vice Presidency
Tuesday March 12, 2024
In the vibrant landscape of dental education, emerging leaders like Claudia Larochelle stand out for their dedication, vision, and commitment to excellence. Recently, Larochelle, a third-year dental student at the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), was elected National ASDA Vice President at the 2024 American Student Dental Association Annual Session in Denver, Colorado. Notably, this position has not been held by a UDM Dental student for nearly three decades, underscoring the significance of the achievement.
The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) was established in 1971 and is the largest national organization dedicated to giving a voice to dental students. Each U.S Dental School has its respective ASDA chapters, which convene annually at ASDA’s Annual Session. Two delegates from each ASDA chapter serve as the voice of their constituent at the Annual Session, where the national leadership for the coming year is elected, and actions in the form of resolutions are proposed. The result of passed resolutions leads to policy statements on behalf of ASDA on issues such as dental education, licensure, dental associations, dental school deans, etc. This year’s session, held on February 24 in Denver, Colorado, witnessed Larochelle’s ascent to National Vice President.
Larochelle’s journey to leadership with ASDA began long before she stepped foot into dental school. Elected as class president of her student body for the duration of high school, Larochelle is no stranger to leading and inspiring those around her. Larochelle also served as vice president of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, at the University of Michigan during her undergraduate years. Upon joining the dental school, it would be no surprise that Larochelle would immediately take on multiple committee roles within the University of Detroit Mercy’s ASDA Chapter. Larochelle showcases her pursuit of growth as she took on the secretary role at the University of Detroit Mercy’s ASDA Chapter during her second year of dental school and the advocacy director role at the District 6 level. As a third-year dental student, Larochelle serves as the University of Detroit Mercy’s ASDA Chapter President and now National Vice President of ASDA.
Larochelle’s journey to leadership within ASDA symbolizes her passion for dentistry and her unwavering commitment to serving her fellow students. As a third-year dental student, she has already demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the dental profession.
In her acceptance speech, Larochelle articulated her vision for the future of ASDA and the dental community. She emphasized the importance of unity, shared purpose, transparency, and integrity in leadership. These values, she believes, are essential for fostering collaboration, driving positive change, and advancing the interests of dental students nationwide.
Larochelle’s leadership philosophy resonates deeply with her peers and mentors alike. Her dedication to leading by example and prioritizing integrity in all endeavors sets her apart as a beacon of inspiration for future dental professionals. By championing these values, Claudia aims to empower her fellow students to navigate the complexities of dental education and emerge as compassionate, ethical, and proficient practitioners.
As National ASDA Vice President, Larochelle will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s direction for the coming year by advocating for the needs of dental students and fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity. Her leadership will undoubtedly impact the dental community, paving the way for a brighter, more collaborative future.
We can’t wait to see Larochelle’s bright future as she takes on her new role as National ASDA Vice President.
This new dental clinic and education program would bring UDM students to Vermont to complete their final years of training – strengthening the dental care provider pipeline and expanding access to much-needed care across the state.
The 2025 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranking has put UDM at No. 43 in the nation, nine places higher than it ranked the University last year.
Meet the Class of '24: Dental grad Maria Latorre Sanchez says “It’s not about what happens to you, it’s about how fast you get up.”
Detroit Mercy was ranked No. 52 nationally and second in Michigan, according to results released Sept. 6 by WSJ/College Pulse. UDM was the third-highest ranked Jesuit university and only Mercy institution ranked.
Recently, an international team of researchers led by Eric Krukonis of the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry revealed for the first time the atomic structure of ToxR, a protein bound to the DNA of two promoters of the genes that control the virulence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera.
Each year, Detroit Mercy honors an alumnus from each of its seven schools or colleges for the way they have excelled in their professions and demonstrated leadership and service to the larger community.
As many of you know, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action on June 29, 2023, will have a significant impact on institutions of higher education throughout our country. We pray for all of our friends and member institutions who will experience an array of challenges due to this decision, but most importantly for all students who will be directly affected by the court’s actions.
More than 1,000 graduates participated in four ceremonies during 2023 Commencement at University of Detroit Mercy on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13.
The Vivere ex Missione awards are presented annually to four graduating students whose time at University of Detroit Mercy was marked by leadership, service and scholarship.
As a child, Trey Hester was bullied for having a misalignment with his teeth. His own dental work to fix it sparked his interest in dentistry, and the UDM School of Dentistry graduate pays it forward today.
Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D., will be inaugurated as University of Detroit Mercy's 26th president Friday, March 24 at 3 p.m. in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus.
Sandy Wang may be young, but she is a trailblazer. The Riverside, Calif., native is the first of five children, a first-generation American, first in her family to go to college and, upon graduation from Detroit Mercy Dental next month, will be the first doctor in her family.
Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D., brings nearly three decades of higher education leadership in the areas of program development, accreditation, alumni relations, community partnership development, corporate and philanthropic fundraising success and commitment to adult/post-traditional students, international/global and online education, following decades as a researcher and educator at Catholic institutions.