32 learners join advanced education programs in the School of Dentistry

The School of Dentistry welcomed 32 new learners to advanced education and graduate programs this year.

Including residents in eight advanced education specialties, as well as graduate programs in oral biology, these incoming learners seek to strengthen their skill sets, explore impactful research questions and grow as individuals. The incoming class includes four endodontics residents, four oral and maxillofacial surgery residents, three residents in oral health services for older adults/special healthcare needs, two TMD and orofacial pain residents, six orthodontics residents, five pediatric dentistry residents, two periodontics residents, three prosthodontics residents and three learners in the Graduate Program in Oral Biology, pursuing a Master of Science or PhD.

Of the 29 new residents, 17 are also pursuing a Master of Science in Dentistry alongside their residency certificate.

The advanced education class is 53.15% ethnically and racially diverse, including six learners from historically underrepresented backgrounds, and includes eleven Minnesota residents.

Bárbara Azevedo Machado, DDS, joined the Graduate Program in Oral Biology after graduating from dental school in Brazil earlier this year. Before making her way to the United States, Azevedo worked in a public clinic for six months as a practicing dentist. “This experience was immensely enriching,” she reflected. “I developed friendships with patients, organized oral cancer prevention activities, performed biopsies and diagnosed two cases of oral cancer, significantly impacting the lives of those patients through early diagnosis.”

While in dental school, Azevedo pursued a variety of research projects, including the impact of personal protective equipment on dental consultations for children with autism, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health habits and what she found to be her “true passion,” oral pathology. After working on a multi-center study on biomarkers in carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma and pleomorphic adenoma and their role in benign and malignant salivary gland tumors, Azevedo realized oral pathology was right for her—and pursuing a PhD was the right path forward.

At the School of Dentistry, Azevedo looks forward to “learning from outstanding faculty and immersing myself in the fields of epithelial biology and carcinogenesis, areas where I have both relevant experience and deep passion.” After she completes her studies, she plans to pursue a residency in oral medicine, continue her clinical work and explore a long-term career in academia. “My long-term goal is to establish my own research laboratory, ‘Azevedo’s lab,’ and contribute to the diagnosis of oral lesions,” she said.

Jason Jeon, DMD, joined the orthodontics residency after exploring a variety of healthcare roles. Born and raised in Busan, South Korea, he found his path after shadowing an orthodontist—a Minnesota graduate himself—and pursued his DMD at Roseman University. He is excited to start his career in what he considers “one of the best professions in the world.”

“Millions of people worldwide have malocclusion, and being one of the professionals who can help improve their smiles and confidence is a blessing,” he said. “In a modern society, where aesthetics can play a huge role in psychosocial development, orthodontics can make an immense impact.”

Knowing that the two-year residency program is short and will move quickly, Jeon plans to take advantage of every moment before eventually becoming a faculty member himself. “At a young age, I realized my accomplishments were not my own,” he said. “They were created with support from people I was blessed to meet along the way. If there is an opportunity in the future as a faculty member, I want to be able to pay it forward to the next generation to help build, protect and advance this wonderful possession.”

Luc de la Villefromoy, DDS ’24, found his way to the School of Dentistry for its exposure to specialities—and knew he’d found the perfect fit. After exploring the various options available to him, he landed on endodontics for a simple reason: the endodontists he got to know were happy.

“I looked at our endodontists, some of whom were decades into their careers, and saw that they were happy, kind and skilled, and their passion persisted deep into their careers,” he explained. De la Villefromoy was also drawn to the work itself. “There are many ways you can practice dentistry, but providing care for those suffering from pain and infection is an area that’s always resonated with me,” he explained. “While several specialties feature this scope of practice, what really stood out to me about endodontics was that everyone I observed—faculty, residents, private practitioners—seemed genuinely happy despite the demanding nature of the work.”

In his residency and his career, de la Villefromoy hopes to take advantage of every moment he’s given, grow at every opportunity and be a team player. He’ll maintain his roots and remember the support that got him—a first-generation high school student—to where he is today.

“Relationships are the foundation of success, and I couldn’t have done any of this alone. I’m committed to paying the support I received forward by making education accessible and improving student wellbeing,” he said. “I want to help cultivate a supportive and inclusive culture for my colleagues, students and patients. A role model and mentor of mine once said, ‘make a difference, not just a living,’ and that’s what I hope to do in my career.”