GSDM Represented at 2012 Multicultural Oral Health Summit
The National Dental Association (NDA) hosted its 2012 Annual National Convention at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, in Boca Raton, Florida July 20-24, 2012. For the first time, this year’s annual convention was held in conjunction with the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) and the Society of Indian American Dentists (SAID). The convention focused on the theme, “Collectively Meeting the Needs of a Diverse Population to Improve Oral Health.”
Five GSDM students attended: Brittney Barrow DMD 14, Lindzy Goodman DMD 14, and Wyatt Traina DMD 14 represented the Student National Dental Association; and Fransheska Ovalles DMD 13, and Chelsea Randall DMD 13, represented the Student Hispanic Dental Association. Newly appointed Director of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs and Clinical Assistant Professor, Dr. Larry Dunham also attended the convention for the first time since his appointment on July 1, 2012. The GSDM group was able to reunite with GSDM alum and former BU HSDA President, Liz Montero DMD 11, who also attended the convention. Dean Hutter also attended and commented, “It was a wonderful conference and it was so very special to see one of our newest alumni, Liz Montero. This is such an important convention for our students and dental students everywhere, and I am so very glad that the HDA and SAID were involved this year.”
On Friday, July 20, Dean Hutter hosted a luncheon for the GSDM students during which they had an opportunity to meet Dr. Dunham. On Saturday, July 21, a Pre-doctoral and Post-doctoral Recruitment Fair for pre-dental and dental students was held. The GSDM table was hosted by Dean Hutter, Brittney Barrow, and Dr. Dunham, who said, “Boca Raton, FL was a beautiful environment for this important conference. There was a positive energy generated to prospective students by having our Dean present, along with GSDM students, promoting our dental school. I was grateful to be a part of this conference.”
Barrow, who was elected SNDA Representative to the NDA House of Delegates during the conference said, “It was a great experience having our newest Director of Multicultural Affairs, Dr. Larry Dunham, as well as Dean Hutter personally interact with the nearly 200+ student attendees! Boston University’s presence was so well received that we were invited to attend next year’s SNDA National Convention being held in Washington DC.”