As we look back on 2025, our social channels have captured the spirit, milestones, and everyday moments that define our community. More than a collection of posts, they reflect the mission that drives UAB School of Dentistry every day. From welcoming future dentists to advancing research and expanding access to care, these moments capture the heart of who we are: a community committed to education, discovery, and service. This baker’s dozen traces the year in order, inviting you to revisit the milestones and everyday triumphs that shaped our shared journey.
1. SOD outreach in action through Give Kids a Smile® (Facebook)
Why it’s special:
Held at the Sidney B. Finn Pediatric Dentistry Clinic, the annual Give Kids a Smile® event provided free dental care to over 40 local children in need. Students, residents, and employees worked together to offer screenings, cleanings, X-rays, and education. The post highlights the joy of service – face painting, games, and compassionate care that make dental visits positive for kids. It’s a powerful example of UAB Dentistry’s outreach and commitment to community health.
2. First day, first bonds: Welcoming the D.M.D. Class of 2029 (Instagram)
Why it’s special:
Welcome Day introduces incoming D1 students to the people and places that will shape their dental education. This post captures the excitement as more than 80 students in the Class of 2029 meet faculty, staff, and classmates, explore the campus and SOD clinics, and learn what it means to be part of UAB School of Dentistry. It’s a celebration of connection and the start of a shared journey.
3. The Proposal: A campus proposal born of UAB’s Joint Health Sciences (Instagram)
Why it’s special:
With more than 2,800 likes and 10.7K views, this post became one of our most visible moments of the year. It spotlights a D.M.D. student proposing to his girlfriend, a School of Optometry student, right where they first met on campus in route to their Joint Health Sciences class. It’s a joyful, authentic moment that celebrates the interdisciplinary connections at UAB and the personal stories woven into campus life.
4. Staff serve UAB’s Blazer Kitchen (LinkedIn)
Why it’s special:
This post features staff volunteering at Blazer Kitchen, UAB’s on-campus food bank, demonstrating service beyond the SOD. It’s a reflection of the school’s culture of empathy, teamwork, and civic engagement. Faculty and staff are not only educators and clinicians, they are community leaders, making a difference wherever they go.
5. Brace Yourself: Opening doors to orthodontic care (Facebook)
Why it’s special:
“Brace Yourself” was a one-day event offering free orthodontic screenings, X-rays, and same-day starts. An Orthodontics team effort, the event showcased the creativity and collaboration it takes to organize an initiative that gives prospective patients an entry point into care. Residents and faculty helped participants explore treatment options and learn about orthodontic care. They left with swag bags and new knowledge, and the post highlights UAB’s commitment to access, education, and patient-centered care.
6. White Coat Ceremony: Stepping into patient care (Instagram)
Why it’s special:
A rite of passage for third-year dental students, the White Coat Ceremony marks the final transition to clinical care. This year, more than 100 members of the D3 class received white coats in a celebration that is distinctly UAB, featuring a UAB version of The Dentist’s Pledge and a lapel pin from the Alumni Association. With cheers, handshakes, and heartfelt remarks, the event honored professionalism, compassion, and the strong bonds among students, faculty, and alumni that define UAB School of Dentistry.
7. Learning at the chairside with Dr. Edward Bradford (Instagram)
Why it’s special:
This post showcases hands-on learning and faculty mentorship in action in the UAB Dentistry Comprehensive Care Clinic. Dr. Edward Bradford, is a rockstar to students. His expertise, mentorship, and genuine care set a high standard in the clinic. Like so many of our faculty, he inspires students to excel and models the best in patient care every day. This post celebrates the energy and confidence our faculty bring to UAB School of Dentistry, shaping future dentists through hands-on learning and unwavering support.
8. UAB’s Student Research Group sparks discovery (LinkedIn)
Why it’s special:
This post spotlights the energy and impact of UAB’s Student Research Group (SRG), part of the national SRG network. Our chapter not only fosters student-driven research and collaboration but has consistently produced leaders at the national level, including the current NSRG president and four other presidents over the past decade or so. It’s a window into the academic core of UAB SOD, where curiosity is encouraged, discoveries are celebrated, and students help advance the school’s reputation for scientific achievement.
9. Celebrating the power of smiles (Facebook)
Why it’s special:
With 33 likes, 4 comments, and 6 shares, this Facebook post spread positivity well beyond our campus. World Smile Day at UAB SOD is a celebration of beauty, kindness, and the power of a smile. The post brings together students, faculty, and staff in a mission to share joy and remind us that oral health is about more than teeth. Our work is about confidence, well-being, and making a difference in people’s lives.
10. Global impact begins here: Dr. Quamarul Hassan and UAB SOD’s outstanding faculty (LinkedIn)
Why it’s special:
With over 90 likes and nearly 30 comments, this LinkedIn post sparked conversation among peers and professionals worldwide. It spotlighted Dr. Quamarul Hassan, whose research exemplifies UAB SOD’s global reach. Hassan presented at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster Meeting in Denmark, sharing how the long non-coding RNA Dio3os drives resistance to aromatase inhibitors in ER+ breast cancer. His work explores RNA-based therapies to restore treatment sensitivity and prevent bone metastasis, advancing UAB’s leadership in RNA-based cancer therapeutics. Posts like this remind us how our faculty expertise and discovery help elevate UAB’s reputation worldwide.
11. From follower to resident: Pouya Sabanik finds Biomaterials at UAB (LinkedIn)
Why it’s special:
Pouya Sabanik’s journey from Instagram follower to UAB Biomaterials resident is a story of curiosity, global connection, and academic excellence. This post highlights how social media can spark interest and open doors, and how UAB’s renowned Dental Biomaterials program – known for its research and mentorship – attracts students from around the world.
12. We EXCEL together: A day built for growth and collaboration (Facebook)
Why it’s special:
EXCEL is UAB SOD’s signature professional development initiative, pausing regular operations so faculty and staff can focus on enrichment and collaboration. With nearly 200 faculty and staff participating, the event reflects the school’s commitment to continuous learning, interdisciplinary teamwork, and investing in the people who make UAB exceptional.
13. UAB Dentistry Dothan Brings Smiles to ‘Trunk or Treat’ (Facebook)
Why it’s special:
UAB Dentistry Dothan gives our students hands-on, real-world experience while connecting them with the heart of the Wiregrass community. Every patient visit reflects our commitment to serving Dothan and making a lasting impact. This fall, our team joined in the community’s Trunk or Treat festivities, further strengthening those local ties. As part of UAB’s outreach across Alabama, the Dothan clinic shows how we’re expanding care and building connections throughout the state.
Together, these posts tell the story of a school that leads with heart, purpose, and vision. We’re proud of everyone who contributed and all we’ve accomplished together. These highlights are a testament to our shared commitment and collective success. From campus traditions to community outreach, from personal milestones to professional achievements, each moment reflects the best of UAB School of Dentistry.