By Denise Kassebaum, D.D.S., M.S., dean of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the members and leadership of the Colorado Dental Association for your continued support of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (SDM). Your participation in our educational programs, patient care activities, and student clubs and events, contribute to the education of tomorrow’s care providers.
The CDA has been a great partner to the school over many years. We take great pride in the fact that many CDA leaders in the recent past are either CU alums or are CU honorary alums. At this time, we are privileged to have a past president of the CDA, Dr. Ken Peters, on our full-time faculty.
The CDA generously sponsors American Student Dental Association (ASDA) dues for DS 1 students, an annual graduation award, and a dental student scholarship each year to ensure our students are supported by and understand the value of organized dentistry. This year, the National ASDA President, Christian Piers, is a CU dental student. Through activities such as Give Kids a Smile Day and COMOM, our students are mentored by CDA dentists.
For the 78 new dentists who graduated on May 22, 2015, the four-year educational pathway to their dental degree is complete and their lifelong learning phase has just begun. Some of these graduates will serve their local communities in private practices, others will be participating in advanced education programs in general dentistry and the dental specialties, while others will be serving our nation in the U.S. military.
Please welcome Colorado’s newest members to the dental profession – the Graduates of the University of Colorado Dental Class of 2015.