Mike Petryk School of Dentistry - University of Alberta

Today, we are spotlighting Harleen Chhina (pictured), dental assisting class of ‘26, who is headed off to further her career in dental hygiene.

Harleen's time in our clinic completely solidified her passion for oral health care, reminding her that patient connection is at the heart of everything we do: “Every patient walks through the door with a different story, whether they’re in pain, feeling anxious, or simply looking to improve their confidence. I love being able to connect with patients during vulnerable moments and help them feel comfortable, cared for, and heard. The combination of meaningful patient relationships and hands-on care is what drew me to dentistry, and it’s a field that continually inspires me to learn, grow, and make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

While she will deeply miss the tight-knit community, late-night study sessions, and lifelong friendships built with her classmates, Harleen is leaving our patients with an excellent piece of wisdom: "Consistency matters more than perfection. Small daily habits can make a significant difference in a person’s oral health over time. Building healthy habits and staying consistent is one of the best things you can do for your smile and your overall well-being!"

Congratulations, Harleen! We are so proud of you and can't wait to see you thrive in the next chapter of your career!

Last week, a vital tradition continued for our second-year dentistry students. The 25th Annual DDS White Coat Ceremony marks a profound transition from the classroom to the Oral Health Clinic, symbolizing the immense trust, responsibility, and professionalism that defines a health-care provider. The white coat isn’t just a uniform. It is a promise to our students’ future patients, a commitment to lifelong ethical practice, and a testament to the dedication that they have already shown in the first portion of their program. Congratulations to all the participants!

This past Friday was the DDS 2026 Grad Banquet to honour our graduating students. It was wonderful to connect over dinner and recognize our grads' incredible achievements. We wish this class the absolute best of luck as they begin their dental careers.

Thank you to everyone who joined the Dental Hygiene Graduation Luncheon this past Friday, hosted by the Dental Hygiene Alumni Chapter. We loved sharing lunch, honouring our incredible graduating students with special gifts and awards, and celebrating this major milestone. Welcome to the alumni family.

🎓💚💛 After years of hard work, late-night studying, clinical dedication, and endless perseverance, the moment has officially arrived. On Friday, our incredible dentistry, dental hygiene, masters, and PhD graduates from the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry walked across the stage as part of their Convocation.

We are so incredibly proud of everything you have accomplished during your time with us. You entered our classroom as students, and today, you leave as world-class oral health-care professionals and researchers. To the class of 2026: Take a deep breath, take it all in, and celebrate every moment. You earned this.

Representatives from dentistry recently attended the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP) conference in Orlando, FL. The event brought professionals together to learn, network, and celebrate five decades of advancing the understanding and treatment of orofacial pain.

Photo: 2026 AAOP, Drs. Reid Friesen, Ivonne Hernandez, and Tobias Meiszinger

As Convocation draws nearer, we are proud to showcase our class of 2026 graduates and celebrate the incredible impact they are preparing to make our communities.

Navpreet Kaur (pictured), dentistry class of ’26, is heading out to practice general dentistry in rural Alberta. Her goal is to provide comprehensive care to a diverse patient population, including families, seniors, and those with limited access to dental services. "Working in a rural setting will allow me to develop strong clinical independence and contribute meaningfully to communities with greater oral health needs," she shares. At this time, she will focus on building her experience in general practice while continuing professional development, with potential future consideration of advanced training opportunities.

For Navpreet, the most defining moments that reminded her of why she chose dentistry came down to the power of human connection: "I remember treating a patient who was very anxious about dental visits and had avoided care for years. By taking the time to listen to their concerns, explain procedures clearly, and provide gentle, compassionate treatment, I saw their anxiety gradually turn into trust. At the end of the appointment, the patient expressed relief and gratitude, saying they finally felt comfortable coming to the dentist again. That experience made me realize that dentistry is not just about procedures—it’s about caring for people, building trust, and improving quality of life."

Before she packs her bags for rural Alberta, Navpreet leaves her patients with an essential piece of advice: "Don’t wait until something hurts to see your dentist—prevention is always easier, less costly, and less stressful than treatment."

Congratulations, Navpreet! Rural Alberta is gaining an outstanding, empathetic clinician. We are so proud of you.

As we approach Convocation, we are continuing to feature our incredible class of 2026 graduates as they reflect on their time at the U of A and the deep impact of their clinical journeys.

Lina Al-Baghdadi (pictured), dental hygiene class of ’26, is planning to stay right here in Edmonton to begin her professional career, bringing with her a profound appreciation for the human side of dental hygiene: "Seeing how much trust patients place in you during vulnerable moments felt especially meaningful because many patients are in situations where they’ve lost control over other parts of their health, yet they still allow you into a very personal space. It made me realize that even small acts like reducing pain, easing anxiety, or simply making someone feel heard can leave a lasting impact."

When asked what she will miss the most, Lina points straight to the clinical floor and the tight-knit community of her peers. "I’ll miss the clinic the most, especially the moments before appointments when my friends and I would talk, laugh, and calm each other down," she shares. "At the beginning, the clinic felt chaotic and unpredictable, but by the end, what once felt overwhelming became second nature. I’ll really miss that mix of friendship, stress, and growth that made the clinic such a memorable part of the program."

Before she graduates, Lina leaves her Oral Health Clinic patients with a crucial reminder for their long-term health: "Don’t skip regular dental visits just because your teeth feel fine; your appointments are about more than cavities and cleanings. Routine exams can help catch issues like gum disease, infections, and even early signs of oral cancer before they become more serious."

As we look toward Convocation, we are checking in with our class of 2026 graduates to hear about their favorite memories and where they are heading next.

One dentistry graduate loved the dynamic nature of clinical work. Among the most impactful experiences of their dental education were the opportunities to step outside the standard classroom and give back to communities in need. Specifically, they found immense fulfillment during their rotation in McLennan and working with the Access for All program. Both are initiatives that bring vital dental care to underserved populations.

Community initiative programs like these remind us of the incredible power of community oral health care and the life-changing impact our students have long before they even walk across the graduation stage.

Read more about the different community initiatives students worked with here: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/school-of-dentistry/about-us/community-initiatives.html?utm_source=meta&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mpsoddent

Dr. Shokrollah Elahi has published an invited review article, "Immune regulation by erythroid cells: How erythroid progenitor cells and mature red blood cells shape immunity," in the prestigious journal Nature Reviews Immunology.

This exclusive, invitation-only publication marks a major milestone, representing only the second paper from a University of Alberta researcher since the journal’s inception in 2001. The achievement highlights Dr. Elahi’s pioneering research on the immunological functions of erythroid cells while underscoring the global impact of the research being conducted at the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry and the University of Alberta.

Learn more >> https://www.ualberta.ca/en/school-of-dentistry/about-us/dentistrynews/2026/06/elahi.html?utm_source=meta&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mpsoddent