About
Continuing Dental Education at 327 Squire Hall represents the academic and professional development heart of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, a premier institution within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. As an integral part of one of the oldest and most respected dental schools in the United States, this continuing education program is not a standalone business in the traditional sense but rather the university's dedicated portal for advancing the knowledge and skills of practicing dental professionals, both locally and globally. The School of Dental Medicine itself was founded in 1892, embedding this continuing education initiative within a rich, 130-year legacy of dental innovation, research, and clinical excellence. Its mission is unequivocally aligned with the university's tripartite commitment to education, research, and public service: to provide high-quality, evidence-based, and clinically relevant continuing education that empowers dentists, dental specialists, hygienists, and dental assistants to achieve the highest standards of patient care, embrace technological advancements, and fulfill their state-mandated licensure requirements.
The program's unique value proposition is deeply rooted in its academic setting. Unlike private, for-profit continuing education companies, it draws directly upon the vast intellectual capital of the University at Buffalo's full-time faculty, who are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their respective fields of restorative dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, and dental biomaterials. Courses are frequently held in the state-of-the-art clinical and simulation labs of Squire Hall itself, giving participants hands-on experience with the latest equipment and techniques in a true learning environment. Furthermore, its connection to a major research university means that the curriculum is informed by cutting-edge scientific discoveries conducted just steps away from the classroom, ensuring that content is not only current but forward-looking.
What sets this Continuing Dental Education program apart is its commitment to comprehensive learning pathways and public health. It offers a staggering range of formats, from live lectures and hands-on workshops to distance learning options, covering topics as diverse as implantology, digital dentistry, endodontics, practice management, infection control, and ethics. A cornerstone of its offering is the acclaimed 'Buffalo Niagara Dental Meeting,' an annual event that attracts hundreds of practitioners for multi-day immersion. Beyond serving private practitioners, the program also plays a critical role in community health through courses focused on treating patients with special needs and serving underserved populations, reflecting the school's deep commitment to societal impact.
Expertise here is not an abstract concept; it is personified by educators who are authors of definitive textbooks, principal investigators on NIH grants, and innovators who hold patents for new dental technologies. Participants don't just learn a procedure; they learn the underlying science and long-term clinical evidence from the very individuals who helped develop it. This academic rigor, combined with a practical focus on clinical application, creates an unparalleled educational experience. Operating from the iconic Squire Hall on UB's South Campus, the program leverages the full infrastructure of a world-class university, offering access to libraries, research facilities, and a network of alumni and peers that extends worldwide. It stands as a beacon of lifelong learning in dentistry, dedicated not to profit, but to the perpetual elevation of the dental profession and the improvement of oral health outcomes for all.