Fri., Nov. 7, 2025
1:00pm-3:00pm (2 CE hrs) / Lecture
Room 101-C
Speaker: Patricia Swanson, DDS ’15

Alumni Speaker Series

Recommended for: Dentists

The beauty of an esthetic dentistry lecture is that it applies to not only restorative providers, but specialists as well. Esthetic dentistry is a booming business, and our patients’ expectations are increasing every day.

This course enables the participant to review the fundamentals of dental esthetics with real life application and find ways to improve patient outcomes in their practice. The course includes information on how soft tissue, hard tissue, vertical dimension, intraoral and extraoral structures impact esthetics.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand trends in esthetics over time.
• Identify fundamentals of dental esthetics.
• Distinguish criteria that influence treatment success.
• Comprehend the influence of multidisciplinary treatment on dental esthetics.

Patricia Swanson, DDS ’15, received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the State University of New York College at Geneseo, and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, where she graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society. She then completed the Stony Brook University Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics. Dr. Swanson is a Clinical Associate Professor and serves as Director of Education in Prosthodontics at the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine since 2018. She also holds the titles of Director of Instruments, Equipment, and Materials as well as Chair of the Faculty Council at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Swanson maintains a faculty practice in prosthodontics and serves on committees and councils for the American College of Prosthodontics, Suffolk County Dental Society, and New York State Dental Association. She is the current Editor in Chief of ACP Messenger, the magazine of the American College of Prosthodontics. Dr. Swanson is a passionate educator in all settings, be it continuing education courses, the simulation laboratory, or overseeing patient care. Dr. Swanson was recently recognized as Junior Educator of the Year by the American College of Prosthodontists in 2022 and awarded the Charles Craig Teaching Award in 2023 by OKU, the National Dental Honor Society.

Dr. Swanson (or an immediate family member) has a significant relationship with the following commercial organization whose products she may refer to in her presentation: Glidewell Dental Laboratories.

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Office of Alumni Relations and Professional Engagement designates this activity for 2 continuing education credits.