The Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders “Student Leadership in Global Oral Health” Initiative Unites Oral Health Leaders and Students Throughout the World for its Second Consecutive Year at the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) One Voice for Inclusive Health Conference
The Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders is proud to announce, for its second consecutive year, the collaboration of their “Student Leadership in Global Oral Health” with the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) One Voice for Inclusive Health Conference, held in Denver, Colorado on May 4-7, 2023.
The Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders developed the “Student Leadership in Global Oral Health” initiative to inspire and develop future leaders dedicated to overcoming the significant burden of global oral disease. This goal of many more in oral health leadership supports the recent recommendation by the World Health Organization.
Students in the course attend monthly webinars and small group mentorship by noted leaders, where they work on development of their individual local community oral health projects. Students whose projects have the most impact were then chosen for the special opportunity to present a clinical poster at the “One Voice for Inclusive Health Conference” held by the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) in Denver, Colorado on May 4 – 7th, 2023.
The student class of 2023 awarded 36 students with completion certificates. Of the total class, 22 students submitted posters and 11 students were chosen to present their poster at the AADMD conference breakout session. Click here to view all posters submissions.
Attending the AADMD Conference introduced this group of young leaders to a previously invisible minority population: those with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.
Additional opportunities for the students who were able to participate in this program included:
- Further development of a global view in dealing with multicultural issues.
- Gaining an understanding of the problems and challenges in implementation of preventive oral health programs and how to gather data that supports proper initiation of community oral health projects.
- Gaining a peer network of alumni with similar interests, which they can continue relationships with as they move forward in their career paths.
“It was an extraordinary experience mentoring and witnessing my students at the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders diligently working on their oral health projects, honing their skills, and ultimately presenting their findings at an international conference. The immense satisfaction I felt in observing these young dentists’ passion for learning and their dedication to improving oral health within their community is truly indescribable”, said Hend Alqaderi, Part-time Instructor on Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and AOHAB Student Leadership in Global Oral Health Steering Committee Member and Mentor.
“As a mentor for almost one year, it was most gratifying to meet with the students at the AADMD conference. I am so proud to be part of this leadership program as it has created a growing network of oral health practitioners from across the globe who embark on careers that include community based preventive oral health”, stated Dr. Marion Bergman, Board Member of Miracle Corners of the World, and Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders
Student leaders from the Student Leadership in Global Oral Health Class of 2023 stated:
“It was a wonderful program and we all felt how much work was put into it. The time was truly enriching and will forever be one of my most important experiences.”
“I acquired knowledge on how to become a leader to implement oral public health programs in my community to improve people’s health. Also, I interacted and connected with people with the same vision and it was an amazing experience for me. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders.”
“I can’t wait to finish the project and share the results with everyone. Also, I’m looking forward to implement an oral public health program in my community to improve people’s lives.”
At the end of the program, students from the Class of 2022 and Class of 2023 have the opportunity to continue working with the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders by participating in Student Alumni Organizational meetings. The goal of these meetings is to cultivate relationships and continue to network and further develop student community projects.
The Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders is a global network of distinguished leaders in medicine, dentistry and public health that leverage their collective experience to identify, problem solve, and share innovative projects in oral health that develop access to underserved communities. The organization’s mission is to promote oral health as a conduit for communication and as a mechanism that will reduce the burden of oral disease across boundaries.
Visit the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders website to learn more about who we are, our current initiatives and consider becoming part of our network of like-minded individuals and organizations who support each other in elevating the quality of oral health care on a global scale.
Sponsored by Henry Schein Schools & Specialty Services, Skygen and Delta Dental.
Contact:
Jamie Pirowskin, Business Manager at info.aohab@gmail.com for more information.