Breaking the ice with U of T’s Dental Hockey Club

The annual Ontario Dental Cup is taking place on Saturday April 1 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto. The yearly rivalry between U of T’s Dental Hockey Club (DHC) and Western University’s Mighty Dents is a tradition dating back to 2008. This year’s game is the first time the event is taking place in Toronto since March of 2019.

Despite the intense competition on the ice, this game represents the positive relationships and collegiality of the dental community in Ontario. Both teams are joined together for a unified purpose to raise funds for dental care at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto and the WRIGHT Clinic in London. Last year, they raised $20, 000 for these charities.

Contributing to community through the power of dentistry

Dr. Joel Rosenbloom, assistant professor teaching-stream, and Coach of the DHC, sees the real-life impact of the team’s fund through his work as staff dentist at CAMH. His mentorship helps students feel even more connected to the cause. “I value the comradery of being on the team, but the number one thing for me is helping support underserved communities.” says Mitchell Dzaldov, DDS3.

From left to right: Dr. Joel Rosenbloom and Mitchell Dzaldov, DDS3 student.

During rotations at CAMH, many of the students have the opportunity to see the impact of these donations firsthand. Dave Dunbar, DDS4 student and one of the captains, will never forget a patient email that Dr. Rosenbloom shared with him.

“This patient wrote about her immense struggles with mental health and financial resources. She currently didn’t have a front tooth and it was really affecting her well-being. She also felt like she couldn’t meet anybody socially, she felt like she could never take off her mask and couldn’t experience life freely,” says Dunbar.

Thanks to the funds from the game, the clinic was able to offer this patient treatment and prepare a denture. “I was able to inform the patient that this fund existed and that we were going to cover her completely. She was moved to tears and it was a full circle moment for me.”

From left to right: Dave Dunbar, DDS4 student, and Braedan Prete, first-year periodontics MSc student.

Breaking the ice

The Dental Hockey Club creates a sense of community by giving students from different years an opportunity to socialize and to get to know each other better outside of school. When Braedan Prete moved to Toronto over five years ago from Thunder Bay in Norther Ontario, joining the Dental Hockey Club made the transition to the city easier for him. When he was in first year, there were some graduate periodontics students on the team.

“It really helped me personally; it broke the ice for me for getting into school and bonding with the upper years” says Prete. He has now come full circle, as he is himself working on fulfilling his dream of becoming a periodontist, while still getting to play for the club.

Finding balance

Beyond fostering a sense of community, participating in extracurricular activities has numerous benefits for students. Many find relief on the ice. “You’re going through four years of dental school, it’s important to have a balance between studying and doing something that brings you joy; you don’t want to burn out.” says Samantha Gorman, DDS1, and one of the two goalies on the team.

For Ella Plante, DDS2, it’s also important to prioritize having a balanced life. “I value having a balance, and being on the team is a great form of exercise.” she says.

Currently, Samantha and Ella are the only two women on the team. “Seeing representation in a position can be motivating.” They hope that more women feel comfortable trying out in the coming years.

From left to right: Ella Plante, DDS2 student, and Samantha Gorman, DDS1. student.

Want to support the cause?

The stage is set for another epic battle between Ontario’s two powerhouse dental hockey teams. The 14th iteration of this game brings countless storylines and many opportunities for both clubs. The Mighty Dents seek to even the series tally at seven wins a piece, while U of T’s Dental Hockey Club aims to win its fifth consecutive event.

“The Ontario Dental Cup It’s a highlight of the year for all of us, we are thankful for the support, and we hope to continue this fraternity together onwards beyond dental school.” says Dunbar.

Visit the Ontario Dental Cup website to purchase your tickets.

Written by Nina Ambros

Photo credits: Dental Hockey Club 2023