Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - University of Alberta

Prepare for a new location filled with the same dental excellence you have come to expect from us. Our Sedation Updater weekend retreat will be nestled in the snowy peaks of Whistler, British Columbia, at the famous Fairmont Chateau, featuring fascinating lectures and exciting activities!

Learn more and register: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/school-of-dentistry/continuing-dental-education/cde-landing-pages/sedation-updater.html

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is proud to announce the renewal of two tier one Canada Research Chairs: Lisa Hartling and Vivian Mushahwar.

These renewals acknowledge both researchers' sustained contributions to their respective fields, from improving how health research is synthesized and applied in everyday care, to engineering neural technologies that assist with mobility and rehabilitation.

Read the full announcement: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/medicine/news/2026/08/translating-evidence-and-restoring-mobility-u-of-a-announces-renewal-of-two-canada-research-chairs.html

A University of Alberta research lab is leading the development of a new generation of self-sterilizing materials for dental fillings.

“Almost every adult develops at least one decayed tooth in their lifetime, and historically these decayed teeth were all filled with a metallic filling that was based on silver and mercury,” explains principal investigator Dr. Prasanna Neelakantan, associate professor and Alberta Dental Association & College Chair in Oral Health Research in the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry.

Read the full story on Folio: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2026/07/self-sterilizing-dental-fillings.html

We're excited to serve as the Host School Partner for the 2027 IPAC Annual Mentorship Gathering in Yellowknife.

We look forward to working with IPAC Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada to help strengthen Indigenous medical education, mentorship and physician leadership. See below for more details!

We're excited to announce a new partnership between the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) and the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, including the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program (WIHP), and the Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP).

Together, we're working to strengthen Indigenous medical education, mentorship, and physician leadership in northern Canada.

As part of this partnership, the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry will join IPAC as the Host School Partner for the 2027 IPAC Annual Mentorship Gathering, taking place June 10–12, 2027, in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

The Annual Mentorship Gathering brings together Indigenous medical students, postgraduate trainees, physicians, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and partners from across the country to build relationships, share knowledge, and support the next generation of Indigenous physician leaders.

We look forward to working together to create a meaningful gathering that reflects the strengths, priorities, and communities of the North.

Save the date: June 10–12, 2027
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

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Nous sommes heureux d'annoncer un nouveau partenariat entre l'Association des médecins autochtones du Canada (AMAC) et la Faculté de médecine et de médecine dentaire de l'Université de l'Alberta, y compris le Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program (WIHP) et le Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP).

Ensemble, nous travaillons à renforcer la formation médicale autochtone, le mentorat et le leadership des médecins autochtones dans le Nord du Canada.

Dans le cadre de ce partenariat, la Faculté de médecine et de médecine dentaire de l'Université de l'Alberta se joindra à l'IPAC à titre de partenaire hôte du Rassemblement annuel de mentorat de l'IPAC 2027, qui se tiendra du 10 au 12 juin 2027 à Yellowknife, dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest.

Le Rassemblement annuel de mentorat réunit des étudiantes et étudiants autochtones en médecine, des médecins résidents, des médecins, des Aînés, des gardiens du savoir et des partenaires de partout au pays afin de tisser des liens, de partager les savoirs et de soutenir la prochaine génération de leaders autochtones en médecine.

Nous avons hâte de collaborer afin de créer un rassemblement porteur de sens, qui reflète les forces, les priorités et les communautés du Nord.

Réservez les dates : du 10 au 12 juin 2027
Yellowknife (Territoires du Nord-Ouest)

Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - University of Alberta UofA Indigenous Medical and Dental Student Association

Mike Petryk School of Dentistry Wellness Retreat

Make time for yourself. Our third annual retreat for practitioner wellness is taking place on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden.

Join us in the gardens to recharge and reset. Together, we’ll explore how mindful self-care can elevate your everyday wellness. Escape to the breathtaking Aga Khan Garden and the elegant Diwan structure. This serene setting provides a peaceful place for your oral health team to focus on mindfulness and well-being, all while earning valuable continuing education credits.

Learn more and register: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/school-of-dentistry/continuing-dental-education/cde-landing-pages/wellness.html

After coming to Canada from South Korea in Grade 7, Jenny Doerksen dreamed of a career in health care. Today, she looks back on the path that took her from a University of Alberta dental student to president of the Alberta Dental Association.

In our latest alumni spotlight, Jenny shares the experiences that shaped her career, the value of mentorship, and why building a strong sense of community is one of the best ways to support the future of dentistry.

Read her story: https://bit.ly/4vd040X

Congratulations to Eric Schultz, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) graduate and recipient of the 2026 Chancellor's Leadership Medal! 🎉

This honour recognizes outstanding community leadership and academic excellence. Throughout his studies, Eric was known for his empathetic and collaborative leadership style while serving as a curriculum representative, working on faculty committees and actively participating in student organizations.

Eric is staying local to begin his career as a general dentist right here in the Edmonton area, eager to give back to the community. 🦷

Read his full story: https://bit.ly/44dTGLU

In celebration of Convocation 2026, the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry highlights bachelor of science in dental hygiene graduate Keely Favel. A multi-year scholarship recipient and a dedicated volunteer with the student-led Access for All initiative, Keely spent time during her undergraduate years providing essential, free dental hygiene care to rural and Métis communities.

As she enters practice as a registered dental hygienist, she remains committed to delivering culturally safe care within Indigenous communities and encouraging future generations of Indigenous healthcare students.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Keely on this milestone. Read her full story at: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/medicine/news/2026/06/convocation-2026-keely-favel.html

Congratulations to Dr. Monty Ghosh on being named the inaugural recipient of the 2026 CIHR-IHSPR and CAHSPR Health Services and Policy Research Impact Award!

This prestigious national honor recognizes the profound, real-world impact of his research and leadership with the National Overdose Response Service (NORS).

We along with University of Calgary's Cu***ng School of Medicine are proud to celebrate Dr. Ghosh’s dedication to transforming health systems and advancing health equity. Read more about his groundbreaking work here: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/medicine/news/2026/06/bridging-the-gap-dr-monty-ghosh-on-innovation-in-harm-reduction.html