News » College of Dentistry » University of Florida

A Half-Century of Gator Dentists, and Counting

May 20, 2026

UF College of Dentistry celebrates Class of 2026 Commencement while honoring the Charter Class that started it all.

Photograph of a University of Florida College of Dentistry commencement ceremony on a stage with blue lighting and the university seal in the background. In the foreground, an academic official in regalia hands a rolled diploma scroll to a graduate while shaking hands. Seated faculty in academic dress are visible behind them. White overlay icons appear on the image: a graduation cap symbolizing education and training, and a group puzzle-piece icon representing interpersonal and professional culture.

Solving the Cleft-Palate Puzzle

May 13, 2026

Pediatric dentistry helps to reshape the faces of infants affected by cleft lip and cleft palate.

Colorful abstract illustration of multiple hands assembling curved, puzzle-like segments into a circular shape. The pieces contain stylized images of a mouth and teeth, suggesting dental care, along with geometric patterns. A tooth icon appears in the lower left. Bright contrasting colors—pink, blue, yellow, orange, and purple—emphasize collaboration, diversity, and unity.

Foundations for Interprofessional Healthcare

April 30, 2026

UF dental and physical therapy students partner to improve patient transfers and oral health awareness.

Physical therapy and dental students practice a safe patient transfer in a clinic, overlaid with the UFCD Strategic Plan icons for Education & Training and Patient Care.

Zsolt Toth Named 2026 UFRF Professor

April 28, 2026

Recognized as one of 33 faculty members reshaping their fields, Zsolt Toth has been named a 2026 UFRF Professor for his sustained research excellence.

The Future of Dentistry on Display

April 22, 2026

Over 100 scientists and clinicians gathered at Spring Synergy 2026 to showcase groundbreaking research in oral healthcare.

Kayla Mornay and Dr. Wallet posing for a picture in front of Kayla's award winning research poster. Overlaid there are two icons that represent the Research and Culture domains of the 2025 Strategic Plan

Freburg-Hoffmeister Appointed OMFS Associate Chair

April 20, 2026

Freburg-Hoffmeister has distinguished herself as an outstanding educator, a compassionate and highly skilled clinician, and a natural leader.

Collective Wisdom Informs UFCD Evolution

April 17, 2026

Dean Garcia taps the collective wisdom of alumni and industry leaders to guide UFCD's evolution in dental education and college infrastructure.

Dean Isabel Garcia, smiling in a hard hat and safety vest, holds onto construction scaffolding on the roof of the Dental Tower during the DLC meeting tour. Positioned in the foreground are two large, white strategic plan icons: a graduation cap representing education and training, and a hand with a pointer finger inside a circular gear representing infrastructure and technology. A multi-story brick building is visible in the background under a blue sky.

Expanding UFCD’s Body of Tech-savvy Healers

April 9, 2026

Merve Benli brings specialized training in digital dentistry and interprofessional geriatric care to the restorative sciences team.

A professional composite image of Dr. Merve Benli, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, centered before the UFCD dental tower. She is wearing blue clinical scrubs and has a warm, approachable expression. Overlaid on the image are three white icons representing domains of the UFCD 2025 Strategic Plan: a graduation cap for Education & Training, a stylized tooth for Patient Care, and a gear with a touch-point for Infrastructure & Technology.

Planning for Perfection

April 1, 2026

"Whether I’m planning dinner parties or fixing smiles, my organizational skills make me stronger..."

Dr. Michelle Patel posing in front of UF football stadium in clinical whitecoat after graduating Doctor of Doctor of Dental Medicine program. Image features the University of Florida College of Dentistry strategic plan domain icons for the "Education & Training" domain as well as the "Research, Scholarship & Creative Works" domain.

Poly to Serve on ADEA Council of Faculties

March 19, 2026

The council promotes excellence and collegiality within dental education and advocates for faculty.