From global collaborations to culinary triumphs, this issue of the alumni newsletter highlights the people and stories shaping U of T Dentistry’s bright future. See event galleries and catch the latest Faculty updates.
As our 150th anniversary year soon comes to a close and we acknowledge our many U.S. based alumni celebrating Thanksgiving and the approaching holiday season, we’re reflecting with gratitude on the pride and support shown by our alumni and donor community. You have defined this milestone moment for U of T Dentistry. Every member of our community has contributed to our past and has the potential to shape our future. Thank you for being part of our 150-year history and for standing with us as we look ahead to the next chapter of this Faculty.
In this issue of our alumni newsletter, view our latest photo galleries featuring highlights from the Champions & Changemakers Dinner and the Dean’s Reception, revisit moments from the 150th Open House and Great Alumni 150th events, and look ahead to upcoming special events.
Also of note, in honour of National Philanthropy Day on November 15, students, the Advancement team, senior leaders, and Campaign Cabinet members personally reached out to more than 230 donors to express our deep appreciation. The generosity of our U of T Dentistry community continues to strengthen our Faculty and build a positive future.
We hope you enjoy the stories and highlights in this issue, each one a reflection of the vibrant, engaged, and generous community that defines U of T Dentistry.
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and restful holiday season, and sending you our very best for the year ahead.
Warmly,
Selina Esteves
Director of Advancement
📣 YEAR-END GIVING
As we near the end of 2025 and the milestone of the Faculty’s 150th anniversary, you can still support Dentistry students and the school. While the Faculty pauses for the holidays from December 23, 2025 to January 5, 2026, you can make a year-end gift and be eligible for a 2025 tax receipt. Click the donate button below to make a gift to the 150th Anniversary Fund and help drive the next century and a half of excellence at U of T Dentistry. Thank you for being an important part of the school’s legacy, and for helping to shape its future. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
We caught up with periodontist and 9T7 DDS graduate, Peter Fritz, who shares why AI is reshaping dentistry and how his new U of T Lectureship in AI Enhanced Dentistry aims to equip the profession with the vision, ethics and leadership needed for the future.
Meet the 2025 Arbor Award honourees from Dentistry – Greg Anderson 8T6, Susanna Chow 9T2 and Cheryl Lee 7T3 – three outstanding volunteers whose mentorship, service and leadership continue to shape and strengthen the UofT Dentistry community.
Discover the remarkable U of T Dentistry alum behind one of Toronto’s most iconic sports moments—Dr. William Mills 6T4, whose winning submission in a 1976 public contest helped give the Blue Jays their name.
Liz Worndl 2T0 is taking her skills from the clinic to the kitchen on MasterChef Canada Season 8. A founding member of the Faculty of Dentistry’s Culinary Club, Liz shows that precision, creativity and passion can thrive both in dentistry and in cooking—proving you don’t have to choose between your dreams.
Your feedback is helping guide how we connect, support, and celebrate our alumni community—ensuring meaningful engagement for years to come. Now it’s time to share your voice again and help us shape the next chapter of alumni engagement at U of T Dentistry.
The new Dr. Howard Tenenbaum Clinical Research Support Fund has been created to honour the remarkable four-decade career of periodontics pioneer Dr. Howard Tenenbaum 7T8. With more than 40 donors already contributing, the Fund aims to advance innovative, multidisciplinary discoveries in oral health.
U of T Dentistry celebrated a record-breaking eight PhD graduates this fall, a resilient cohort whose research spans oral and whole-body health. From uncovering a link between Lyme disease and irreversible jawbone loss to developing DNA-based hydrogels for bone regeneration, these scholars highlight the far-reaching impact of dental research.
U of T Faculty of Dentistry professor Dr. Hashim Nainar has developed a simple, evidence-based decision tool to help families assess whether tongue-tie surgery is truly needed. With diagnoses and procedures rising despite limited proof of benefit—and rare but serious risks—the tool encourages informed, cautious decision-making for newborn care.
For more than a decade, U of T Dentistry has partnered with Addis Ababa University through the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration, helping build sustainable dental education in Ethiopia. Led by professors Daniel Haas and Joel Rosenbloom, the collaboration focuses on “teaching the teachers,” equipment support, and annual student exchanges that enrich learning on both sides.
U of T Dentistry hosted its inaugural Champions and Changemakers Dinner on September 25, 2025, at the Vaughan Estate, bringing together many of the Faculty’s most generous supporters. Alumni, friends, Campaign Cabinet members, and former Deans Barry Sessle, David Mock, Daniel Haas, and Laura Tam joined new Dean Anil Kishen for an evening of gratitude, connection, and reflection as part of the Faculty’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
On October 28th, 2025, U of T Dentistry hosted the annual Dean’s Appreciation Reception—the first led by Dean Anil Kishen. Alumni, donors, instructors, volunteers, and community partners gathered to celebrate a milestone year and the people whose generosity, service, and expertise strengthen our Faculty. Guests enjoyed an evening of connection and gratitude as Dean Kishen reflected on the year’s achievements and the collective impact of philanthropy and volunteerism on dental education, research, and patient care.
In celebration of the Faculty’s 150th anniversary, this year’s Homecoming Weekend brought together more than 1,300+ alumni, faculty, students, and friends across two milestone events. On May 9, the 150th Edition of Great Alumni filled the Delta Hotel Toronto with connection and pride, followed by our 150th Anniversary Open House on May 10, where 600+ guests explored interactive exhibits, specialty showcases, decade rooms, and hands-on activities. Together, these gatherings honoured our history and celebrated the bright future our community continues to shape.
Celebrate the holiday season and U of T Dentistry’s 150th anniversary with our special online pop-up shop! Discover a curated collection of limited-edition anniversary merchandise and keepsakes designed to commemorate this historic milestone.
Celebrate the season with fellow U of T alumni at Songs of the Season 2025, featuring vocalists from the Voice Studies program and pianist Dr. Trevor Chartrand. Hosted by Wendy Nielsen, the festive program blends joyful carols and reflective melodies, offering an evening of musical warmth and shared traditions. Attend in person or join via livestream to enjoy this annual holiday highlight.
Join Drs. Sutherland 8T4 and Visconti 8T8 for an evidence-based discussion on antibiotic stewardship in dentistry. This session will introduce the Choosing Wisely Canada toolkit and provide practical guidance on reducing unnecessary prescriptions and improving patient safety.
Reconnect with fellow U of T Dentistry alumni at our upcoming Vancouver Alumni Reception! Join us for an evening of conversation, professional networking, and campus updates from the Faculty of Dentistry. Whether you’re looking to reconnect or expand your alumni community on the West Coast, we look forward to celebrating with you.
Join us next spring as Great Alumni returns to Steam Whistle Brewing on May 8, 2026 for an evening designed to bring our alumni community together in a meaningful way! With limited capacity, we encourage you to mark your calendars and sign up below to be the first to know when registration opens.
In this recorded lecture, U of T Dentistry alum Dr. Lionel Lenkinski 7T9 explores how bias affects clinical decision-making in dentistry and offers strategies to improve patient care in areas like diagnosis, treatment planning, informed consent, and follow-up.
For most clinicians, interpreting imaging for caries and periodontal disease is second nature. But when a rare or unfamiliar abnormality appears, the diagnostic process can quickly become challenging. This course will guide participants through selecting the right imaging examination, understanding how disease processes shape radiologic appearances, and recognizing the key features essential for accurate diagnosis.
TMD can cause significant jaw pain, functional discomfort, and TMJ noises, yet misconceptions often lead to missed or ineffective treatment. This two-day course equips general practitioners and specialists with up-to-date, evidence-based strategies for accurate diagnosis and effective management.
We want to hear from you! Inspire your community. Share your stories, photos, updates, publications, accomplishments, or exciting news at alumni@dentistry.utoronto.ca
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The U of T Dentistry Magazine Summer/Fall 2025 Issue and the Dean’s Annual Report are now available. View them here.
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