Strengthening Military Dental Education: USU Hosts 2026 Federal Services Dental Educators Workshop

USU hosted federal dental leaders to synchronize graduate education, integrate AI innovations, and enhance joint force clinical readiness.

Dr. Drew Fallis, Executive Dean of the Postgraduate Dental College, addresses attendees during the 2026 Federal Services Dental Educators Workshop. (Photo credit: Tom Balfour, USU)

April 17, 2026 by Sharon Holland

The Uniformed Services University (USU) welcomed dental educators and leaders from across the Military Health System, Department of Veterans Affairs, and international partner organizations for the 2026 Federal Services Dental Educators Workshop (FSDEW), a three-day forum focused on advancing graduate dental education and strengthening collaboration across the federal health enterprise.

Held April 14-16, this year's workshop, themed "Optimizing Graduate Dental Education Across the MHS and Beyond," brought together approximately 60 faculty representing 55 advanced training programs, including postgraduate year-one programs, oral and maxillofacial surgery residencies, and master's-level education.

In his opening remarks, USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson emphasized the importance of the workshop as both a strategic and professional touchpoint.

"At its core, this meeting is a forum to step back and take a hard look at how we educate and train across the Services-how we refine our programs, share what's working, and identify where we need to improve," Woodson said. "The real value is in the discussion-the candid conversations that drive collaboration, spark new ideas, and open the door to future strategic initiatives."

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in a robust agenda designed to align priorities, share innovations, and enhance faculty development. Sessions included updates from the USU Postgraduate Dental College (PDC) and Defense Health Agency (DHA), as well as presentations on resource management, accreditation preparation, and the integration of artificial intelligence tools into dental education.

Interactive breakout sessions allowed each Service to identify key challenges and accomplishments within their graduate dental education programs, while working groups explored specialty-specific issues and opportunities for collaboration-particularly between the MHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Uniformed Services University President Dr. Jonathan Woodson delivers remarks to military and civilian dental leaders at the 2026 Federal Services Dental Educators Workshop. (Photo credit: Tom Balfour, USU)

A strong emphasis was placed on innovation in teaching and training. Sessions on gamification, simulation development, and improvisation techniques provided faculty with practical tools to enhance learner engagement and adapt to evolving educational environments. Additional presentations addressed clinical advancements, including resin infiltration, operational dentistry, deployment dental readiness, and pediatric care.

Research and academic excellence were also highlighted, including presentations tied to the prestigious USU Board of Regents Patrick D. Sculley Award, which recognizes outstanding resident research across the Services. Navy Lt. Tyler Kemerer from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School was selected as this year's Sculley Award recipient.

The workshop also featured a keynote on the history and evolution of the PDC, underscoring its central role in shaping military dental education.

The PDC remains a cornerstone of USU's contribution to military readiness, delivering mission-focused education, research, and leadership development. Today, the enterprise encompasses nearly 60 advanced training programs and has awarded more than 900 Master of Science degrees in Oral Biology since 2010, maintaining a 96 percent graduation rate. Outcomes data further reflect the program's impact, with more than 95 percent of graduates and supervisors reporting high levels of confidence in training and competency.

Equally critical is the PDC's continued investment in faculty. Through structured development programs aligned with USU's School of Medicine, dental educators are advancing their teaching expertise and leadership capabilities, strengthening the academic foundation of military dental education across the Services.

By the close of the workshop, one message was clear: the strength of military dental education lies not only in its programs, but in the collaboration and shared commitment of its educators.

"This year's FSDEW was an overwhelming success with collaborative initiatives identified to strengthen mission critical programs that directly support total force readiness through DoW-centric curricula and research," said Dr. Drew Fallis, Executive Dean of the PDC.

"This workshop is part of ensuring that the dental professionals we rely on are prepared not just to practice, but to lead in increasingly complex environments," Woodson told attendees. "The work you do-whether in the classroom, the clinic, or in forums like this-has a direct impact on readiness."