Message from Dr. Taylor Squires, President

I am honored to serve as your MCDS President for a second year and excited to continue working with our wonderful board and members to support and grow this organization. Below I’ve highlighted a few things we’ve been working on to strengthen our dental community.

The Careers in Dentistry Program continues to have a meaningful impact on our growing group of local high school and college-age students. We recently partnered with the Eastman Institute for Oral Health to offer students a tour of their facility, giving them a firsthand look at residency life and what it takes to become a dentist. Our annual visit to UB Dental is another event that students look forward to each year, providing them with valuable exposure to the profession.

Our Member Benefits Committee has been busy refining the identity of the Monroe County Dental Society and finding new ways to engage young dentists as they embark on their careers. We want to continue building a strong, connected dental community—one that fosters mentorship and provides meaningful opportunities for professional growth.

In addition, we’ve revised the Constitution and Bylaws and drafted an Administrative Code to help streamline the efficiency of our organization. These updates will be up for a vote at our March 7th meeting, and I encourage all members to review and participate in the discussion.

I’m looking forward to another great year of growing MCDS and tailoring it to the needs of our amazing local dentists. Congratulations to my fellow 2025 officers and new directors—I’m excited to work alongside such a dedicated group.

As always, I’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, or just want to chat, feel free to reach out—my cell is 585-200-7218.

Looking forward to another great year together!

Dr Taylor Squires - President

Dr. Scott Koopman - President-Elect

Dr. Vincenzo Marino - Vice President

Dr. Timothy Abbamonte - Secretary

Dr. Michael Grassi - Treasurer

Dr. Taylor Squires - Immediate Past-President 2024 

Dr. Todd Pedersen - Immediate Past-President 2023

Dr. Abdullah Al Qaraghuli (term ends 2026)

Dr. Robert J. Buhite, II (term ends 2026)

Dr. Gerry Cellura (term ends 2025)

Dr. Steven Damelio (term ends 2025)

Dr. Peter D'Elia (term ends 2026)

Dr. Kyle Kenyon (term ends 2026)

Dr. Aaron Sigona (term ends 2027)

Dr. Katherine Strong (term ends 2027)

MCDS Showcases Dental Careers at MCC Career Expo

On Monday, June 16, 2025 Monroe County Dental Society had the opportunity to connect with future professionals at Monroe Community College’s Career Expo Launching Futures in High-Demand Fields.

They shared insights about the world of dentistry, the many career paths within the field, and how oral health plays a vital role in overall well-being.

Thanks to MCC for spotlighting healthcare and other in-demand industries. and to all the students who stopped by to learn more about the power of a smile!

MCDS Presents Awards during MCC Pinning Ceremony

Dr. Taylor Squires, Monroe County Dental Society President, and Ms. Andrea Hughes, Administrative Communication / Event Manager, presented two awards during Monroe Community College’s Dental Studies Program Pinning Ceremony held on May 28, 2025.  Two graduates received a certificate and monetary award for dental hygiene and dental assisting.  Congratulations to these deserving students!

MCDS hosts Dr. Samson Ng

Monroe County was proud to host Dr. Samson Ng for a dynamic and insightful lecture on May 2nd at Comedy @ The Carlson. Dr. Ng delivered a compelling presentation on, "Lumps and Bumps in the Mouth: Mastering the Fundamentals." He deepened the understanding of oral pathology and left attendees informed and inspired. A great time was had by all!

MCDS hosts Dr. Sebastiano Andreana

Monroe County Dental Society hosted its first lecture of the year Friday, March 7th at Casa Larga Vineyards. Dr. Sebastiano Andreana a clinical professor and director of The Center for Implant Dentistry at New York University gave a presentation focused on implant dentistry and all the details that drive results. Thank you to our sponsors, DDSmatch, EDA, GRB, RTG Lab, and Walsh Duffield.

Monroe County Dental Society kicks off 2025 Careers in Dentistry Program

The Monroe County Dental Society kicked off the 2025 Careers in Dentistry Program at the District Office Tuesday, January 28th. Over 20 area high school and college students came out to learn about careers in dentistry from presenters: Drs. Taylor Squires, Katie Strong, Aaron Sigona, Gerry Cellura, and Swetha Sathasivam.

Careers in Dentistry Program Visits UB School of Dental Medicine 
Monroe County Dental Society concluded the 2025 Careers in Dentistry series of events with a tour and presentation at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Local high school and pre-dental college students were fortunate to hear from Dr. Marcelo Araujo, Dean of the Dental School, who shared his journey to becoming dean and a future focused on people, innovation, education, and community.