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School of Dental Medicine

From lab discoveries to public outreach initiatives, students, faculty, staff and alumni at APP prove their dedication to advancing oral health in Cleveland and around the world. Read the latest news that highlights the innovation, care and community impact at the heart of our efforts to advance clinical excellence and service across populations.

Recent News

Exterior shot of Adelbert Hall in the summer
From CWRU to Harvard: A trailblazing endodontist expanding access to, interest in dentistry
CWRU School of Dental Medicine alum Morgan Celistan, DMD (DEN '20), serves as predoctoral director of endodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where she mentors students and advocates for expanding access to the field of dentistry. In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate her…
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2025 Commencement Speaker Announced
The School of Dental Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr. T. Gerard (Gerry) Bradley, president of the University of Louisville, will serve as the School of Dental Medicine’s 2025 Commencement Speaker this May. Dr. Bradley brings a wealth of experience in dental education, research, and…
Dr. Catherine Demko
Dr. Catherine Demko—a mentor to women in dentistry at the School of Dental Medicine
Catherine Demko, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Community Dentistry, attributes her passion for science to its endless opportunities for creativity and discovery. With an early interest in biology and genetics, Demko began her academic journey studying microorganisms and patterns…
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Dean Kenneth B. Chance steps down after 11 years leading the dental school
After more than a decade as dean of APP School of Dental Medicine, Kenneth B. Chance Sr. (DEN ’79) will step down from the role Dec. 31. “Ken has helped guide the School of Dental Medicine through a number of significant changes over the past decade, from the…
Jeffrey Mills headshot
Resilience and hope
In 1982, Jeffrey Mills, DDS (WRC ’79, DEN ’82), was a promising young dentist and soon-to-be new father ready to begin the next chapter of his life. Yet, four hours before commencement, Mills was shot and killed by a home intruder. Having earned his undergraduate and dental degrees at Case…
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Honoring excellence: inspiring stories from Black alumni of the School of Dental Medicine
In celebration of Black History Month, we’re sharing the insights, achievements and words of wisdom from Black alumni who are shaping the future of dentistry. Madge Potts-Williams, DDS (DEN ‘81) Lead Dentist, Manatee County Rural Health Services, Bradenton, FL Consultant,…
Photo of person sitting at desk with computers, smiling at camera
Integration of ITI Digital Campus into Our Dental School
We are thrilled to announce the integration of the ITI (International Team for Implantology, Basel, Switzerland) Digital Campus, which is an online learning platform, into our dental school curriculum, under the visionary leadership of Dean Kenneth Chance and Associate Dean of Digital Innovation…
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Faculty Member Serves as Guest Editor for International Dental Journal
Ilser Turkyilmaz, DMD, PhD, has achieved a significant milestone by serving as the Guest Editor for the December 2024 issue of Primary Dental Journal, a prominent publication based in London, UK. The issue, titled “Implant Dentistry” (Vol. 13, No. 4), was released on Dec. 1, 2024. As Guest Editor,…
Dental students pictured with a patient in the chair in the van.
Students drive dental care
Inside a 38-foot mobile RV parked outside an adult day center, fourth-year students from APP School of Dental Medicine provide essential services to underserved older adults. For these students, this is not just a clinical training ground but also an experiential…
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Earliest deep-cave ritual compound in Southwest Asia discovered
APP researchers helped unearth evidence for ritualistic gathering in upper Paleolithic