Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences

Study helps explain why chronic pain is often discounted

ɬ�﷬ Newsroom — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:56:03 +0000

A new study by Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences researchers shows that chronic pain, often invisible to medical tests, can be better assessed when doctors take a holistic approach.

By combining biological data with information about patients’ mental health, sleep and stress, the researchers say they were able to create a fuller picture of chronic pain. They said their findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour, stand to improve how the condition is diagnosed and treated.

2025 Outstanding Alumni and Philanthropy Awards recipients

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 18:57:09 +0000

The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Outstanding Alumni and Philanthropy Awards.

Outstanding Alumni Award
Dr. Myrna Halpenny, DDS'74

Dr. Myrna Halpenny earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Saskatchewan before becoming one of two women admitted to the Class of 1974 in the Faculty of Dentistry. She practised general dentistry in Vancouver for two years before attending the University of Oregon to specialize in endodontics.

Dr. Quoc Nguyen honoured with W.W. Wood Award for Excellence in Dental Education

robert.loxham@mcgill.ca — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:53:32 +0000

Dr. Quoc Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry, has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to dental education with the 2025 W.W. Wood Award. Presented by the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry, this award commemorates Dr. Bill Wood, whose career exemplified dedication to research, teaching, and service. Nominations for the award can be made by students, alumni or other faculty members.

Dr. Nicholas Makhoul recipient of the 2025 Howard S. Katz Award for Excellence in Teaching

robert.loxham@mcgill.ca — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:40:33 +0000

Dr. Nicholas Makhoul, DMD’05, Associate Dean of Postgraduate Dental Education and Chief of the Department of Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the ɬ�﷬ Health Centre, has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to dental education with the Howard S. Katz Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award celebrates educators who demonstrate excellence and innovation in their teaching, and leadership in dental education—qualities that Dr. Makhoul has exemplified in the 12 years he has been with ɬ�﷬.

2025 Spring Convocation and Award Ceremony

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Thu, 22 May 2025 15:47:21 +0000

The spring 2025 convocation ceremony was held on May 27. Consult the program, the recording of the ceremony, and the photo gallery of the day and our awards ceremony.

Thiago Magalhães de Aguiar’s Journey to Becoming a McCall MacBain Scholar

Robbie Loxham — Thu, 29 May 2025 20:32:46 +0000

Few ɬ�﷬ scholarships carry the weight of prestige and promise quite like the McCall MacBain Scholarship. Awarded to just 30 outstanding individuals each year, the scholarship is a testament of its recipients’ leadership, intellect, and dedication to community service. This year, Thiago Magalhães de Aguiar has become the joint first Brazilian recipient of the scholarship—and only the second student receiving it to study at the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences since its inception.

Nomination of Dr. Didem Dagdeviren as Director of the Division of Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, and Oral Radiology

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Thu, 01 May 2025 17:27:11 +0000

Assistant Professor Dr. Didem Dagdeviren has been nominated as the Director of the Division of Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, and Oral Radiology, effective May 1, 2025.

Research Day 2025

robert.loxham@mcgill.ca — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:00:03 +0000

The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences’ 19th annual Research Day was held on April 23 at Centre Mont-Royal. The audience and participants gathered included researchers, dental medicine students, graduate students, Faculty alumni, and academic, clinical and administrative staff, as well as external guest speakers.

Elizabeth Zimmermann named William Dawson Scholar

jennifer.timmons@mcgill.ca — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:36:39 +0000

The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences is pleased to announce that Assistant Professor Elizabeth Zimmermann has been named a William Dawson Scholar.

The William Dawson Scholar award recognizes scholars at ɬ�﷬ developing into outstanding and original researchers of world-class caliber who are poised to become a leader in their field. The award is given for a five-year term.

Nomination of Dr. Taras Konanec as Director of Restorative Dentistry in the Division of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry

robert.loxham@mcgill.ca — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:45:15 +0000

Assistant Professor Dr. Taras Konanec has been nominated as Director of Restorative Dentistry, Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry Division. He will oversee operative dentistry in this division, as well as the curriculum, simulation, laboratories, and both pre-clinic and clinical work, alongside Dr. François Seng.