Over 25 Irwin Smigel scholarships were given to emerging dentists this year at the 2025 Dental Aesthetics Conference hosted by the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (ASDA). The Irwin Smigel Mentor Program honours the legacy of the founder, Dr. Irwin Smigel, who was internationally acknowledged as the “Father of Aesthetic Dentistry.” His mission was to mentor those in the field with the desire to learn and practice clinical excellence. The Irwin Smigel Mentor Program was established to continue his vision by providing funds to young dentists.
This year’s ASDA Conference was held on the beautiful Amelia Island, Florida, where Oral Health was fortunate enough to attend and speak with a group of the Irwin Smigel Scholars.
Dr. Rachel Rosen-Narberth, a current D4 at Temple University, shared how amazed she was at how much talent was in attendance. “Everyone seems very close with each other and seems like a family. And it’s just very cool to be around such experienced people,” she said.
Dr. Max Prince said, “Coming to the ASDA meeting has shown me that there’s just so much to learn outside dental school, and what I have is only a foundation. With this group here, it’s just so supportive and welcoming to young dentists and even students like me.”
The talent included 2024 Irwin Smigel Keynote Speaker, Dr. David Sarver, who spoke about “Contemporary Concepts in Dentofacial Esthetics.” Some other speakers included Dr. David Hornbrook on “Taking Control for Aesthetic and Functional Success,” Dr. Ben Miraglia on “A Collaborative Approach to Malocclusion,” Dr. Joyce Bassett on “Catapult Your Restorative Workflow and Aesthetic Cases with the Power of Digital Design,” and Dr. Jason Olitsky on “No-Preparation Porcelain Laminate Veneers.”
A few more takeaways from the 2024 Smigel Scholars:
Dr. Emily Riesgraf said, “I feel like this year’s meeting taught me a lot about overall foundational health of patients, and I think it’s going to change the trajectory of my career to treating patients more comprehensively.”
Dr. Monica Hochberg shared, “Just this morning, I learned that you could literally change the shape of a child’s airway as they grow, so that they are less prone to sleep apnea, which is amazing.”
Dr. Ezgi Kiyici said, “My entire perspective on orthodontics and interventional therapies for children specifically was greatly altered this morning. So, learning a lot and enjoying every second.”
ASDA’s goal is to promote continuous learning among their international network of cosmetic and restorative dentists. By enriching the skills of their members and the profession at large, dentists can better serve their patients. ASDA strives to reach these goals through their unique conferences.
Dr. Nick Keefer said, “It’s a much more intimate setting than most meetings that I’ve been to in the past. We have a lot of one-on-one time with the presenters, with people that have been in dentistry for a very long time and have a lot of knowledge for the young dentists that are trying to pave their way.”
Dr. Magdalena Hornik added, “The conference really feels just like hanging out with your friends and learning in a very collaborative environment. There’s not a sense of competition or who’s better than whom, but rather just everyone working together to improve their esthetic dentistry skills. So, I’ll definitely be coming back next year and bringing more friends along.”
ASDA events are held in a comfortable, intimate setting where members can meet their continuing education requirements and can feel engaged with their colleagues. About a third of all conference participants are recognized as thought leaders in dentistry, making ASDA conferences fantastic opportunities to share and learn with the best minds in the profession.
Learn more about the next meeting. https://www.asdatoday.com/