Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world’s largest provider of health care solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners, delivered the commencement address on May 12, 2023, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry.
Stanley M. Bergman Delivers Commencement Address at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry
Addressing the 2023 graduating class, Mr. Stanley M. Bergman stressed that in today’s digitized world, the concern for people—the human connection in the practice of dentistry—will always be paramount, from caring for patients and building and mentoring the office team to collaborating with other health care professionals, and giving back to society. He emphasized that the human touch is essential in building and strengthening relationships, whether it be in dentistry or other facets of society.
“We live in a world that is increasingly driven by technology, but we must remember that technology is just a tool, and humans wield that tool. How we wield that tool depends on our human touch,” said Mr. Stanley M. Bergman. “What links the best dental practitioners across the decades, and will continue to be the defining quality of the best dentists in the future, is the ability to establish a caring human connection.”
Mr. Bergman noted that the human touch is key in the interdisciplinary collaboration between oral health and the other medical disciplines. He underlined how dentistry is a vital component of the health care spectrum, with a direct correlation between good oral care and good overall health.
The graduation was officiated by Janet Guthmiller, DDS, PhD, dean of the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.
The graduating class included 150 members receiving degrees in dental hygiene, advanced dental education programs, and dentistry.
“We applaud the 2023 graduating class of the UNC Adams School of Dentistry for their hard work, resilience, and dedication,” said Dean Guthmiller. “As our students begin their oral health careers, Mr. Bergman’s message of establishing the human connection could not be more relevant. I know our graduates will continue to make us proud and provide outstanding patient care to the communities they serve!”
In addition, Mr. Stanley M. Bergman highlighted the technological advances available for dental professionals today, including digital scanners, 2D and 3D imaging, 3D printing, advanced implants, aligners, and dental materials, lasers, clinical software with artificial intelligence embedded for diagnostic support, and rapid salivary diagnostics to detect oral cancer and other diseases. He reinforced that this technology is worth celebrating, but it cannot replace the human need for connection between the health care practitioner and the patient or the unique human ability to dream and imagine a new future.
About the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Claude A. Adams, Jr. and Grace Phillips Adams School of Dentistry is transforming dentistry for better health. Founded in 1950, UNC Adams School of Dentistry was the first dental school in the state and is regarded as a leader in oral health care and education. More than half the dentists in North Carolina are UNC trained, and UNC Adams School of Dentistry alumni live or work in 96 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, all 50 U.S. states and 27 countries. The school sees more than 90,000 patients each year in its clinics and provides care ranging from general needs to complex cases.
Dental faculty have received NIH funding, demonstrating the school’s alignment with the university’s research mission. Together, the school’s faculty, staff and students passionately serve their community and field through service within North Carolina totaling more than $3 million of in-kind care annually. The ultimate goal of UNC Adams School of Dentistry is to be the global model for oral health education, in care and discovery.
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a solutions company for health care professionals powered by a network of people and technology. With more than 22,000 Team Schein Members worldwide, the company’s network of trusted advisors provides more than 1 million customers globally with more than 300 valued solutions that help improve operational success and clinical outcomes.
Our business, clinical, technology, and supply chain solutions help office-based dental and medical practitioners work more efficiently so they can provide quality care more effectively. These solutions also support dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, as well as other alternate care sites.
Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 300,000 branded products and Henry Schein corporate brand products in our distribution centers.
A FORTUNE 500 company and a member of the S&P 500 index, Henry Schein is headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has operations or affiliates in 32 countries and territories. The Company’s sales reached $12.6 billion in 2022, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 12.1 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.
For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein, Instagram.com/HenrySchein, and Twitter.com/HenrySchein.
