The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) hosted its annual session in Montreal, Canada, from March 21-24. Oral health educators, students and professionals from around the country attended the event, including many proud representatives from VCU School of Dentistry. With 28 faculty and staff members and 16 students present, VCU SoD had a strong presence throughout the program.

Our students and faculty left the annual session with multiple awards, successful presentations and newfound knowledge and connections. A special thanks and congratulations to everyone who participated and brought pride to VCU!

The following faculty and staff led presentations:

Drs. Ana Andrada and Carol Caudill: “ADEA Signature Series – The Strategic Mind: Developing Expert Decision-Making in Academic Dental Leadership”

Marion Manski and Dr. Kimberly Lintag-Nguyen: “Bridging Pathways Between Medicine and Dentistry: Interprofessional Education in Action”

Dr. Kimberly Lintag-Nguyen: “Advancing Access: Supporting Dental Faculty Through Self-Care and Institutional Initiatives”

Dr. Gustavo Mendonça: “From Prompt to Presentation: How Dental Faculty Can Use AI to Build Better Lectures and Learning Materials”

Marion Manski: “Bridging Pathways to Relief: Patient Voices on Dentin Hypersensitivity”

Dr. Kimberly Lintag-Nguyen: “Bridging Classroom to Career: LinkedIn Networking and Practice Management in Dental Hygiene Programs” (Poster Presentation)

Bryan Harris: “Early Objective Structured Clinical Exam Identified Disciplines for Curricular Improvement” (Poster Presentation)

Heather Tuthill: “Bridging Pathways: From Classroom Concepts to Chairside Nutrition”

LaTesha McLee: “Integrating Social Determinants of Health into Dental Hygiene Education”

Dr. Iya Ghassib: “Knowledge and Perceptions of Career Mentorship, Growth, and the Tenure and Promotion Process for Faculty in U.S. Dental Schools”

Dr. Shawn McMahon: TMD Educators Network – Session 1 Introductions & Social

Drs. Daniela Mendonça and Gustavo Mendonça: “TechExpo – The VCU Way: From Same-Day Crowns to Dentures”

Marion Manski: “The Value of Full Course Reviews for Curriculum Management” (Poster Presentation)

Marion Manski and Brian Canaday: Dental Hygiene program perspective and overall organizational perspective regarding IT and operational implementation of OverJet AI

Dr. Carlos Smith: “Best Practices for Submitting and Reviewing Submissions for the ADEA Annual Session”

Dr. Luciano Andrada and Brent Idleman: “Teaching and Learning with Emerging Technologies and Informatics”

Dr. Shawn McMahon: TMD Educators Network – Session 2

The following students presented at the poster session:

Genesis Alvarado (mentored by Dr. Caudill)

Barakat Alsammarraie (mentored by Dr. Glickman)

Chloe Babick (mentored by Dr. Caudill)

Danielle Charles (mentored by Dr. Borella)

Bracken Curtis (mentored by Dr. Caudill)

Maria Golindano (mentored by Dr. Ana Andrada)

Maija Hatanpaa (mentored by Dr. Williams)

Alexander Hughes (mentored by Dr. Glickman)

Maria Lawandi (mentored by Dr. Uram – Tuculescu)

Sarah Lee (mentored by Dr. Williams)

Christopher Moussa (mentored by Dr. Glickman)

Violetta Nikitina (mentored by Dr. McMahon)

Delaney Nowotarski (mentored by Dr. Lintag-Nguyen)

Elise Nugent (mentored by Dr. Ana Andrada)

Elise Rebellato (mentored by Dr. Glass)

Matthew Tello (mentored by Dr. Glickman)

Here are some highlights from the event:

• Dr. Carlos Smith served as the Chair of the ADEA Annual Session Program Committee, with a charge of planning an international meeting for more than 2k attendees! Smith also received the Bell Leadership Institute Scholarship and an ADEA 2026 Chair of the Board Citation Award.
• Heather Tuthill was selected as the new Secretary for the Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Microbiology Section by the ADEA Council of Sessions.
• Dr. Kimberly Lintag-Nguyen is now officially representing the Career Development for the New Educator Special Interest Group (SIG) as the Chair-Elect. 
• LaTesha McLee was elected into the position of Secretary at the CDNE Member's Forum.
• Marion Manski served her third year in the ADEA Board of Directors representing the Council of Allied Dental Program Directors.

“I am especially proud of our faculty, staff, and students who contributed to the annual session’s success through seminars, workshops, poster presentations, and committee work,” said Jeff Johnson, D.M.D., M.P.H., Ed.D., Interim Dean of VCU School of Dentistry. “Their scholarship, innovation, and willingness to share their expertise with our colleagues highlighted the strength and influence of our academic community. A special shoutout to our incredible learners—from earning a Silver Designated Student Chapter Award, to discovering Montreal’s best poutine spots, to celebrating alongside faculty mentors—you represented VCU with excellence, energy, and a true sense of what makes our school special.”

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s event.