Andrew Raber

By Christopher J. Rak
Student in Department of Journalism Public Relations, IUPUI Undergraduate

The IU School of Dentistry is proud to announce its 2015 graduates. These 121 students, who came to Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis from communities around the state and countries around the world, have demonstrated academic and clinical excellence.

Andrew Jeffery Raber from Nappanee graduated as a Doctor of Dental Surgery on May 9 at a convocation at Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. He also received the American Association of Oral Biologists Oral Biology Award.

“This was an outstanding class, and we are proud of their hard work, dedication, compassion, and humility,” said Dr. John N. Williams, dean of the IU School of Dentistry. “Their rigorous training has prepared them to make a significant impact on improving oral healthcare around the globe.”

Worldwide, adult caries (cavities) are the number one adverse health condition, affecting more than 3.9 billion people, followed by periodontal disease (6th) and childhood caries (10th), according to Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

The 2015 IU School of Dentistry graduating class was made up of 61 men and 60 women. Indiana residents numbered 76, with 45 graduates from out of state. The 2015 class included the first 22 graduates of the school’s International Dental Program, designed for foreign-educated dentists who wish to become licensed to practice in the United States.