Dear Colleagues,

I hope everyone is enjoying the crisp fall season here in the District! Following the excitement of SmileCon 2025 and our DCDS Symposium for Licensure, I want to say it was truly heartwarming to see so many of you in person—connecting with colleagues, engaging with our inspiring speakers, and celebrating the camaraderie that makes our profession so special.

If you were unable to attend in person, recordings of the Symposium for Licensure are available for purchase here.

A special thank you to Dr. Aliya Kassam, Dr. Eric Bradshaw, Dr. Albert Coombs III and Dr. Dan Jones for their tremendous efforts in helping to make SmileCon such a success at the local level. Your leadership and enthusiasm continue to elevate our profession in the District.

November CE Event – Join Us Virtually!

“Today’s Top Clinical Tips”
Presented by: Dr. Lee Ann Brady, Executive Director of The Pankey Institute
Date: Tuesday, November 11 | Virtual Event

Don’t miss this engaging program from one of dentistry’s most respected educators. Dr. Brady will share practical, modern clinical insights that you can implement immediately in your practice.

Register today to secure your spot for this virtual CE session.

Annual Call for Nominations

Want to get more involved in DCDS—or know a fellow dentist who should?
We are now accepting nominations for DCDS Officers, Board of Directors, and Delegation positions. Submit your nomination via our online form no later than 5 PM on November 11 or through the close of our business meeting on Tuesday, November 11 immediately before the presentation by Dr. Lee Ann Brady.

Open positions include:

• DCDS President-Elect and Vice President
• Board of Directors (4 seats)
• Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the ADA House of Delegates
• DCDS Foundation Board of Directors (4 seats)

Serving as your President has been both rewarding and eye-opening, and I can personally say that board service is one of the most fulfilling ways to contribute to our profession and strengthen our DC dental community. I encourage you to consider stepping into leadership—or nominating a colleague who would be an excellent fit.

Special Thanks

Finally, I’d like to extend special appreciation to Dr. Albert Coombs III, who continues to be a strong voice advocating for our patients and providers in the discussion surrounding Medicaid reimbursement and access to care in the District and beyond. Dr. Coombs was recently featured in an interview with Channel 9.
Watch Channel 9 news segment featuring Dr. Coombs.

Thank you all for your continued support, collaboration, and dedication to the profession we share. I look forward to seeing many of you at our virtual CE event on November 11!

Warm regards,
Dr. Hillary Rosse Abel
President, District of Columbia Dental Society