Harvard School of Dental Medicine

During Class Day, Aryeh Iosif, DMD26, reflected on the community, impact, and adventure that shaped both his and his classmates’ journey through dental school. From late nights in the lab and celebrations with classmates to meaningful patient connections and lifelong friendships, his remarks captured both the challenges and the deep sense of connection that defined the student experience at HSDM.

“Impact is not always measured in the size of the procedure, but rather in how people leave the dental chair feeling," he said. "It’s found in the extra moments we take to listen to our patients, the patience we show to ease someone’s nerves, and the trust we can build in one single appointment.”

Iosif emphasized that these moments reflect the deeper purpose students will carry forward into their careers in dentistry.

Following graduation, he will pursue a pediatric dentistry residency at UCLA, where he will continue shaping positive, meaningful experiences for young patients.

We had the best day celebrating the Class of 2026 🙌

On Thursday, HSDM graduates joined fellow grads from across Harvard in Tercentenary Theatre for the University’s 375th Commencement ceremony. In the afternoon, the DMD graduates then took part in Class Day with their MD classmates on the Harvard Medical School Quadrangle.

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine awarded a total of 52 degrees: 35 Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), 13 Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc), and 4 Doctor of Medical Sciences (DMSc). Congratulations to all!

Celebrating a milestone moment for HSDM’s graduates | Harvard School of Dental Medicine HSDM's Class of 2026 celebrated Commencement and Class Day as 52 graduates earned DMD, MMSc, and DMSc degrees. View the highlights.

What a joyful day celebrating the Class of 2026! Congratulations to our newest AGE and DMD grads 🎓

Today, we celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of the DMD and AGE Class of 2026 at HSDM’s annual Graduate Recognition Ceremony!

Congratulations to the graduates recognized for their excellence in academics, clinical care, research, and leadership, and to the dedicated faculty and staff whose mentorship and support help make these achievements possible 👏

View the complete list of award recipients: https://bit.ly/4dNzghb

One evening while volunteering at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, Amy Lin, DMD26, met a woman who could not eat most of the food being served because she had lost many of her teeth during childhood and couldn't afford dental care. The interaction stayed with Lin long after the shift ended, deepening her commitment to prevention, access to care, and community-centered dentistry.

After graduation, Lin will remain in Boston to pursue a pediatric dentistry residency through HSDM and Boston Children’s Hospital, where she looks forward to caring for children with complex medical conditions alongside interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

“Early intervention sits at the core of everything we do in pediatric dentistry,” said Lin. “I have the privilege of caring for patients during a time in their lives when habits are still forming and where early intervention can have a lasting impact.”

Learning from patients beyond the clinic | Harvard School of Dental Medicine Amy Lin, DMD26, reflects on mentorship, community outreach, and improving access to care as she prepares for a pediatric dentistry residency through HSDM and Boston Children's Hospital.

For Oliver Viera, MMSc26, dentistry is the ultimate renaissance profession. A third-generation dentist, he was inspired by his grandfather, a dentist in Cuba, who created the acronym DENTISTA to describe the field as a blend of many roles—doctor, engineer, nutritionist, therapist, investigator, scientist, teacher, and artist.

At HSDM, Viera found the same balance in Prosthodontics, a specialty that allowed him to combine technical skill, creativity, and patient care to rebuild not only smiles but also confidence and quality of life. Beyond the clinic, Viera dedicated himself to teaching and mentorship. He served as an instructor in the MEDscience program, introducing high school students to careers in dentistry, and as a clinical resident instructor for DMD students. His impact on students earned him the DMD Class of 2026’s Outstanding Resident Teaching Award.

After graduation, Viera plans to enter private practice in Connecticut. Reflecting on his time at HSDM, he credits the community for shaping both his career and the person he has become.

The power of transformative patient care | Harvard School of Dental Medicine Oliver Viera, MMSc26, found his calling in prosthodontics, where science, artistry, and patient care intersect. At HSDM, he balanced complex reconstructive cases, mentorship, and new fatherhood while helping restore patients’ smiles and confidence.

Long after classes end, Jeeshriya Rajan, DMD26, is often still in the hallways of Vanderbilt Hall, checking in on students, organizing community events, or stopping for conversations that can turn a stressful day into a manageable one. For the past three years, Rajan has served as a senior resident advisor, helping foster a welcoming community for graduate students.

That sense of belonging became especially meaningful to Rajan after arriving at HSDM as an international student, inspiring her to support others navigating unfamiliar environments. Alongside her role as a resident advisor, she became involved with Bridge to Dental School, a program that helps pre-dental students navigate the dental school application process.

“What means the most to me is being able to reassure students, regardless of their background or resources, that they belong in these spaces and deserve to pursue their goals,” said Rajan. “Healthcare careers are often seen as financially out of reach, and I’ve been proud to help shift that mindset by showing students that with passion, effort, and guidance, these paths are possible.”

This May, Rajan will graduate from HSDM and continue her training in pediatric dentistry at the University of Minnesota. She hopes to continue developing not only her clinical skills, but also her ability to help children and families feel comfortable, supported, and empowered in healthcare settings.

Creating connection and community during dental school | Harvard School of Dental Medicine Creating connection and community during dental school Graduating student Jeeshriya Rajan reflects on leadership, mentorship, and the community she helped foster at Harvard School of Dental Medicine May 13, 2026 Long after classes end, Jeeshriya Rajan, DMD26, is often still in the hallways of Vander...

Olivia Middleton, DMD23, MMSc26, first became interested in dentistry when she was young, undergoing orthodontic treatment. Through her clinical experiences at HSDM, she learned not only the technical demands of orthodontics but also the importance of building relationships with patients. The transition from observing patient care to actively participating in it became one of the most defining parts of her training.

After graduation, Middleton will remain at HSDM as a part-time faculty member and serve as director of the DMD Program in Orthodontics. In this role, she hopes to strengthen early exposure to orthodontics for dental students and continue the mentorship tradition that shaped her own journey.

From mentee to mentor at HSDM | Harvard School of Dental Medicine AGE graduate shares how her clinical experiences, mentorship, and personal connections shaped her path in orthodontics and academic dentistry