From patient care to academic excellence, 2024 was an inspiring year for the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM). This year, we celebrated groundbreaking achievements, heartwarming patient stories and innovative advancements in dental education and research. Our students, faculty and staff showcased their commitment to improving oral health and advancing the profession through compassion, collaboration and excellence. As we reflect on the highlights of the year, we are proud to share some of the moments that made 2024 a year to remember at CU SDM.
"CU Eradicated My Fear of the Dentist"
Thirty-six percent of Americans fear the dentist. But with the right provider, time and encouragement, it can get better. CU Dental patient Olivia M. said, "I was absolutely terrified at first, but I am so happy I got matched with [dental student Deepika Gopalan] over a year ago. She single-handedly eradicated my fear of the dentist."
Jerry Olson, DVM, MS, Becomes First Patient at CU Dental to Receive Care Using a Wheelchair Lift
By utilizing a wheelchair lift, dental patients can stay comfortably in their chairs and providers can practice with improved ergonomics. We are proud to have installed one of the first wheelchair lifts in the state.
Legendary Photographer Ready to Rock Again Thanks to CU Dental Senior & Special Care Clinic
Dan Fong has spent his life photographing rock legends like the Grateful Dead, The Who and Led Zeppelin. Now he's eager to emerge from the behind the camera with a brand new smile, thanks to the CU Dental team. He's grateful to the faculty, students and staff who helped him through a rough patch in his extraordinary life.
Denture and Dental Materials Breakthrough Backed by AAI Grant
CU Dental Senior Associate Dean for Research and Professor Jeffrey Stansbury, PhD, along with a multidisciplinary team of experts on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, was selected as an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative (AAI) grant recipient. The team’s mission is to help bridge the gap between adults in poverty and economically advantaged adults who use or may need dentures.
SDM 2024 Excellence Awards Announced
The SDM Excellence Awards honor our faculty, staff, students, residents and alumni who have contributed in many ways to the success of our school, our community and the dental profession.
CU Dental Commencement Speaker Brett Kessler, DDS, Recognized with Honorary Alumni Award
In an inspiring commencement speech to the DDS Class of 2024, American Dental Association President Brett Kessler, DDS, shared his journey from battling substance abuse to becoming a leader in the dental profession. We were proud to present Kessler with the CU SDM Honorary Alumni Award.
CU School of Dental Medicine has been designated an Apple Distinguished School
The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine has been recognized by Apple as a distinguished school for inspiring, imagining, and impacting teaching and learning through continuous innovation.
New Oral Health Track Aims to Train More Rural Dentists
More than two-thirds of Colorado’s counties are considered rural or frontier, and most are experiencing a shortage of dental health care workers. CU Dental’s new Rural Oral Health Track aims to train more dentists for professional practice in these communities and increase access to quality care.
Geriatric Dental Medicine Fellowship Prepares Healthcare Providers for Older Adult Population Surge
The number of Colorado residents over the age of 65 is projected to double to 1.7 million people by 2050, making the state’s aging population the second-fastest growing in the country. The CU School of Dental Medicine's new Geriatric Dental Medicine Fellowship will prepare dentists to effectively manage and treat older adults living with a broad range of disabilities and medical complexity that supports their oral health and promotes well-being.
Spring Break with a Purpose: Dental Students Experience Oral Health Abroad
New global health initiatives took six dental students to Brazil and Honduras for invaluable service-learning opportunities. DDS candidate Ryan Utsey said, "This experience confirmed that dentistry is the right calling for me. I know that I'm able to make a difference in people's lives with the skills I'm learning here at CU."
In collaboration with the CU Anschutz Medical Campus team, our dental faculty were featured in a series of stories focused on patient education:
As we look back on an incredible year of meaningful moments, we are excited to build on this momentum, embrace new opportunities and continue making a lasting impact in 2025.