The first and third floors of Lyons Dental Building have gotten a face lift in the form of a photo project. Brightly colored photos of students and faculty at work, learning in the clinics and having fun at school events now line the halls.

The Office of Inclusive Excellence, Ethics and Community Engagement collaborated with the Communications team on the photo project. The images utilized in this project were captured by the Communications team over the last three years.

The two groups meticulously selected photos that exemplify the diversity of VCU School of Dentistry's student body and highlight community engagement efforts. 

Vernon Freeman Jr., Interim Director of Communications at VCU School of Dentistry, helped coordinate the project and photographed many of the photos featured. He said each image tells a story.

“You can’t help but be inspired by taking photos of our students at VCU School of Dentistry. Behind every photo, there's a story waiting to be told,” said Freeman. “This project captures a glimpse into the beautiful, unique journeys of our students. It celebrates their experiences and showcases their unwavering commitment and dedication. Now, when you walk through our halls, you can experience these inspiring stories firsthand.”

However, the project is more than snapshots of the unique student experience. It represents a much bigger idea.

"Our students, faculty and staff contribute daily to our culture of care and the pursuit of clinical excellence. I think it's only fitting that we see this dedication reflected throughout our building,"  said Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of the VCU School of Dentistry. “This photo project, representing the efforts of our Office of Inclusive Excellence, Ethics and Community Engagement, reveals our commitment to our culture of care, to one another and to the community we serve.”

Carlos Smith, D.D.S., M.Div., associate dean for Inclusive Excellence, Ethics and Community Engagement, was inspired by a similar project implemented by a former undergraduate classmate working at the National Institute of Health. 

Sadhana Jackson, M.D., a pediatric neuro-oncologist and full-time researcher at NIH, led a project to diversify the portraiture within NIH buildings and digital spaces to recognize the contributions of all NIH staff following renewed NIH commitments to advance racial equity. After noting the lack of diverse racial and gender representation , she recognized that the artwork in shared or public spaces encodes an institution’s values and provides messages to its members about belonging e. She established the portrait project to inspire inclusion and convey appreciation for the diversity of the workplace.

“When we look at what an optimal environment that centers belonging looks like, we want everyone, whether they are a patient, student, staff or faculty member, to feel like they are both welcome and wanted in that space,” Smith said. “What goes on the wall is a small step with a big impact. It’s an easy way to inspire belonging.”

Smith cited the project, 8 Changes for Racial Equity (also known as 8CRE), as an inspiration. The 8CRE project was led by Jackson and other NIH staff members and is intended to “ensure the workplace culture was free of racism, discrimination and harassment, and committed to compassion, respect and understanding for all.” The project received the 2023 HHS Mary Brodie-Henderson Call to Service Award, which is among the highest honors bestowed by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Smith has extensively researched and produced scholarship centering on the importance of creating belonging through transforming learning and clinical environments. When taking into consideration the unique challenges that those who have historically been locked out of the dental and dental hygiene professions, it is important to establish policies and practices that ensure their well-being and create a sense of community. When individuals feel valued and protected, it creates a culture where students learn, faculty teach and patients are treated at the highest level.

“We want to communicate our appreciation and values through the physical space here,” Smith said. “The building is an actor in this process just as much as the people are.”

Ruth Bravo-Anez, program coordinator for the Office of Inclusive Excellence, Ethics and Community Engagement, played a role in organizing the project, even fielding quotes from vendors and selecting the photos to be hung. She sought to create a representation of the school’s population and foster belonging.

“The goal of this project was continuing to make the School of Dentistry a more positive and welcoming environment for everyone,” Bravo-Anez said. “We want our students to see themselves on the walls, and directly communicate that they are important members of the school community and feel appreciated.”

The photos were not only selected to give students a sense of belonging, but also to give patients reassurance in the quality of care they receive.

“Our patients come from a wide variety of backgrounds,” Bravo-Anez said. “And there can be fear or anxiety when it comes to seeing a dentist. We want to reassure them and show them that they belong here as well.”

For Bravo-Anez, the photo project is just the beginning. She expressed her hope that more photos will eventually be hung in more areas of the building. Additional projects are planned to create a sense of community and will be implemented by the Office of Inclusive Excellence, Ethics and Community Engagement.

“It’s been very rewarding to see the smiles on our students and faculty’s faces and hear the positive feedback,” Bravo-Anez said. “When people feel appreciated and welcomed into this space, it is always worth it.”