Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, UBC President and Vice-Chancellor, recently made his first official visit to the Faculty of Dentistry, spending the afternoon engaging with the people and spaces that are shaping the future of oral healthcare.
His visit began in the Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre reception area, where students from all dental programs, as well as faculty and staff, gathered to welcome him. The President warmly shook hands with everyone and posed for photos. In a nod to one of the Faculty’s most meaningful traditions, Dr. Bacon was presented with his own white coat—symbolic of his honorary induction into the world of dental education.
“It was an absolute privilege to host Dr. Bacon and show him what makes our Faculty truly special,” says Dr. Andrea Esteves, Dean pro tem. “From the passion of our students to the expertise of our faculty and staff, this visit was a chance to share our story firsthand.”
Following the welcome, Dr. Esteves and Dr. Kavita Mathu-Muju, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, along with student ambassadors Madison Dunn (DMD 2027 candidate), Ella Mickelberry (DMD 2027 candidate), Anna Sohi (BDSc 2026 candidate) and Emily Sunwoo (MSc Dip Endodontics Year 3), led the President on a guided tour of the clinic. This was a unique opportunity for him to learn about—and see firsthand—the incredible dental education students receive and the care they deliver to the community. The UBC Dentistry leadership team then presented key initiatives, highlighting the Faculty’s commitment to research, community outreach, academic excellence and student wellness.
The President went on to explore the 123Dentist Simulation Laboratory, where he met students and observed the lab’s state-of-the-art dental teaching technology. He then ventured up to the third floor of the John B. Macdonald Building led by Dr. Hannu Larjava, Associate Dean of Research, to visit the Faculty’s research labs, where innovative foundational and clinical research takes place.
Dr. Bacon’s visit underscored and celebrated a shared vision between university leadership and the Faculty. “This was more than a tour,” said Dr. Esteves. “It was a celebration of what we do every day, and a reminder that behind every smile we care for is a community committed to learning, leading and making a difference.”