IUSD Celebrates Inaugural Dr. Daniel Laskin Professional
Ethics Lecture
The Inaugural Dr. Daniel Laskin Professional Ethics Lecture was held October
19th, 2007 in conjunction with the Indiana University School of
Dentistry Alumni Conference. The lecture took place at the University Place
Hotel and Conference Center in Indianapolis, IN. The day was made even more
special by the attendance of Dr. Dan Laskin, whose generosity established the
lectureship bearing his name.
Dr. Daniel M. Laskin received his D.D.S. degree from Indiana University
School of Dentistry and his M.S. degree in oral surgery from the University of
Illinois. He is currently Professor and Chairman Emeritus of the Department of
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University School of
Dentistry. Dr. Laskin's professional achievements have been both extensive in
volume and fundamental in impact. He is acknowledged as a man whose personal
integrity and commitment to the public good have been recognized as a facet of
virtually all of his professional activities. He has once again demonstrated
this commitment to both the profession and the public by establishing the
Lectureship in Professional Ethics at Indiana University School of Dentistry.
Dr. Daniel Laskin chats with IUSD Dean Dr. Lawrence Goldblatt,
and Dr. Lawrence Garetto, Associate Dean for Dental Education, prior to the inaugural
Dr. Daniel Laskin Professional Ethics Lecture
"The Laskin Lectureship is the first if its kind to be established at Indiana
University School of Dentistry," stated IUSD Dean Dr. Lawrence Goldblatt. He
added, "Dr. Laskin, whose own career has exemplified professional ethics as well
as promoted it, has made another landmark contribution to our school in
providing the wherewithal to bring in the finest authorities on the subject
every year for the benefit of our students, faculty, alumni and entire
professional community. We at IUSD will be forever in his debt."
Dr. Daniel Laskin and guest lecturer Dr. Muriel Bebeau
Dr. Muriel Bebeau, a Professor in the Department of Primary Dental Care,
School of Dentistry, and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Educational
Psychology at the University of Minnesota, delivered the inaugural lecture
before an audience of over 120 dental professionals. Her topic, "Establishing a
Professional Identity. What Does It Take?" focused on the questions of what
distinguishes a professional identity from the many identities that are assumed
in society. The lecture also addressed what characteristics extraordinary
professionals exhibit, as well as what educators can do to promote development
of a professional identity with current dental students.
The 2008 Dr. Daniel Laskin Professional Ethics Lectureship is scheduled to
take place Friday, April 25th in conjunction with the Indiana Dental Association
annual meeting in Indianapolis. The speaker will be Dr. Gerald R. Winslow,
Professor of Ethics at Loma Linda University. The lecture, titled "Integrity and
Compromise in Dental Practice" will examine the typical ethical challenges that
occur in the practice of dentistry and explore the dynamics of these issues as
well as suggest practical, integrity–preserving strategies.