Dean Dennis Mitchell outlines progress and plans for growth in first State of the School address
“The state of our school is strong,” Dean Dennis Mitchell said in his first State of the School address, highlighting accomplishments across Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM). “We’re now positioned for growth,” he said, outlining investments preparing CDM for dentistry’s future.
Advancing patient care
CDM is prioritizing patient-centered care and greater access, drawing on its position within an academic medical center. Its teaching clinics provide approximately 100,000 visits annually, serving more than 24,800 patients. Orofacial pain services are expanding, with new maxillofacial prosthodontics expertise supporting complex care.
“Building the digital dental clinic means making better use of patient information,” Mitchell said. Epic brings medical and dental records into one system, helping clinicians connect oral and overall health. Adding caries risk assessment to that system has made prevention more consistent: documented assessments increased from fewer than 5 percent to 89 percent of eligible visits.
Advances also include digital fabrication and computer-assisted implant surgery. A new Digital Dentistry Lab, expanded Prosthodontics Lab and infrastructure upgrades are planned. Financing is secured to replace 100 dental chairs.
Preparing students for a changing profession
Connecting clinical training with scientific advances and interdisciplinary learning is central to CDM’s educational priorities. “We want graduates who can not only navigate a changing profession but improve it,” Mitchell said.
The new MS in Oral Sciences welcomed 12 students, combining laboratory immersion with research training and an NIH-style proposal and defense. Predoctoral students are gaining postgraduate prosthodontics experience and training in insurance, coding and billing.
Eleven AI Faculty Fellows are exploring applications including radiology modules with individualized feedback and simulated cases using OpenEvidence in Epic’s training environment.
Expanding community access
CDM is expanding access through trusted community partnerships. Community DentCare works with roughly 70 organizations and has provided more than 150,000 community patient-care visits since 1996.
“Rather than waiting for patients to come to Columbia, we brought the care to them,” Mitchell said. School-based services reach 13 public schools and 21 Head Start sites, with a District 75 partnership serving students with specialized support needs.
For spring 2027, CDM is developing rural outreach addressing workforce shortages. A potential one-week externship with Bassett Health at a federally qualified health center in Oneonta, NY would combine clinical care with learning about rural social determinants of health. Students will also have an opportunity to provide free care at a Remote Area Medical clinic in Schuylerville, NY.
Advancing discovery
Strengthening oral and systemic health research through collaboration across Columbia is a priority. New National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) awards support that work.
Dr. Ricardo Cruz-Acuña’s R01, with approximately $3.05 million in projected five-year support, examines mechanical forces in oral precancer progression. Dr. Christie Custodio-Lumsden’s R21-supported AHEAD study investigates childhood diet and long-term health using metabolomics. Drs. Sunil Wadhwa and Sunil K. Agrawal received a two-year, $439,707 R21 for wearable robotics research on jaw assessment and rehabilitation.
“The goal is to help our investigators pursue important questions wherever they lead,” Mitchell said. The Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series, Building Bridges for Oral Health Research, fosters this kind of interdisciplinary exchange. A research retreat is informing next year’s strategic research plan.
Strengthening educational support
Supporting students through coordinated academic and student services is guiding the new Office of Education. Its academic affairs and student affairs areas give dedicated attention to educational programs and student support. CDM plans to appoint a senior associate dean for academic affairs next year.
Reflecting on his return, Mitchell said, “Returning to CDM has meant coming back to my academic home and to a mission that has shaped much of my career. I’m grateful to be back here, doing this work with you, and excited about what we can accomplish together.”