US university teams line up for Dental Olympics 2024

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 22. July 2024

save

NEW ORLEANS, US: The American Dental Association (ADA) has announced that four US dental schools will be competing for gold in this year’s ADA Dental Olympics at the SmileCon dental conference in New Orleans on 17 October. The annual event tests students’ wits, hand–eye coordination and knowledge of dental trivia and provides them with experience and exposure that extends beyond their dental curricula.

The competing dental schools are the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry and University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. The ADA pointed out in a press release that the four universities will also meet on the football field in the same month as part of the Southeastern Conference, a prominent collegiate athletic association, and that the dental competition, while quite different, will be “no less impassioned”.

“I love the energy the students bring to SmileCon,” Dr Gabriel Holdwick, who hosted the dental jeopardy contest at last year’s event and will return to host the trivia contest in October, told the ADA. He explained: “Dental students are so smart and engaged by nature, and adding a healthy dose of competition to the mix really makes for a fun event. The Dental Olympics puts the students right in the middle of the action at SmileCon, giving them the chance to meet ADA members and see what the profession looks like outside of the walls of their schools.”

This year’s event will be the third ADA Dental Olympics. Students from the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Dental Medicine emerged victorious at SmileCon 2023 in Orlando in Florida. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry won at SmileCon 2022, held in Houston.

Fourth-year dental student Amer Sbeih was part of the team who represented Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine in 2023. Sbeih told the ADA: “My heart was full [of] pride and excitement representing my school. The air was electric with anticipation as I competed alongside peers, forging bonds and memories that would last a lifetime. From the intense competition to the shared laughter and camaraderie, every moment was a testament to the passion and dedication of the dental community.”

SmileCon will take place from 17 to 19 October at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Visit the ADA website for more information.

Tags:

To post a reply please login or register

Ireland to have its first community-based dental school

DUBLIN, Ireland: Many individuals in Ireland who have difficulty in getting a National Health Service (NHS) dental appointment today will remember a time ...

The US is a desert for patients needing orofacial pain specialists

NEWARK, New Jersey, US: The specialty of orofacial pain (OFP) has been officially recognised by the American Dental Association (ADA) for over four years. ...

Colorado and Minnesota join Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact

DENVER, US: Colorado and Minnesota have become the eighth and ninth states to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist (DDH) Compact. This occupational licence...

Study points to lack of formal education on cannabis in dentistry

BUFFALO, N.Y., US: As the field of medicine continues to evolve, the American Dental Association (ADA) has recognised the importance of integrating ...

FDI World Dental Congress 2024 promises a valuable continuing education and networking experience

ISTANBUL, Turkey: FDI World Dental Federation has recently announced the programme for the much-awaited World Dental Congress 2024 (WDC24), scheduled to be ...

India begins assessing its 400 dental colleges

NAGPUR, India: The sheer number of dental colleges in India makes the country a global powerhouse in dental education, and efforts are underway to ensure ...

Education

Live webinar
Fri. 26 July 2024
11:00 am EST (New York)