The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry Class of 2029 has been recognized with the 2026 Lead Blue Award for Event of the Year, honoring their “Pink Walk"—a student-led initiative that brought the campus community together to raise awareness for breast cancer.The award recognizes outstanding events coordinated by registered student organizations during the academic year that demonstrate a unique and meaningful impact on the university community. Created by students, for students, the honor celebrates events that foster engagement, connection and dialogue.
For Kaylee Morris and Kara Morris, life has long been defined by shared milestones. As twin sisters, they have navigated many of life’s biggest moments side by side. Now, they are adding another chapter to that journey as students at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. While they now sit in the same classrooms and prepare for careers in dentistry together, their paths to the profession were not identical. Kaylee found herself drawn to a career that blends technical skill with personal connection.
Each year, more than 29 million Americans see a dentist but no medical provider. For these individuals, the dental chair is their first and only meaningful point of contact with the healthcare system. And yet, dentists are too often excluded from broader conversations about a patient’s overall care.
The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry will play a key role in the upcoming 2026 Land-grant Engagement Bus Tour, a university-wide initiative designed to strengthen partnerships and better understand community needs across Western Kentucky.
On February 20, first-year dental students from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry made an early impact beyond the classroom, bringing oral health education to students at Roundstone Elementary in Rockcastle County. Through hands-on activities, interactive lessons, and meaningful conversations, the outreach event aimed to promote healthy habits while inspiring the next generation to think about careers in health care.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Two first-year students at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry have been selected for the U.S. Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), a prestigious national program that supports the education of future military healthcare professionals while preparing them to serve as commissioned officers.
At the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD), student leadership plays an essential role in shaping both the academic experience and the profession’s commitment to service. As president of the Class of 2029, Donte Reed has emerged as a steady hand and thoughtful voice for his classmates during their first year of dental school.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and as a pediatric dentist, I see this month as more than a reminder to brush and floss. It’s an opportunity to reflect on how oral health is inseparable from a child’s overall health and how prevention, access, and advocacy can shape a child’s future.
When University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) student Myranda Elliott learned she had been selected as the American Student Dental Association’s (ASDA) National Legislative Liaison of the Year, the recognition came as a surprise — and a powerful affirmation of her passion for advocacy. “I was surprised, thrilled, and so proud,” Elliott said. “I didn’t think I would be able to win a national award in my first time serving in this role, especially as a D2. Advocacy is a passion of mine, and being recognized for my efforts in such a big way is incredible.”
The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry is pleased to welcome Ivan Squire as its new Assistant Dean of Finance & Administration, bringing more than two decades of financial leadership experience across multiple industries to support the College’s mission of education, service, and patient care.