Brian Swann, DDS, MPH, a clinical instructor in oral health policy and epidemiology at HSDM and public health dentist at the HSDM-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance, was awarded the 2012 National Dental Association Foundation/Colgate Palmolive Faculty Recognition Award in the category of Administration/Service. The faculty awards honor individuals who have demonstrated excellence in professional development and a willingness to support and to help others in their quest for knowledge and advancement.

The award was presented at the Multicultural Oral Health Summit, "Collectively Meeting the Needs of a Diverse Population to Improve Oral Health," in Boca Raton, Florida, in July. The conference was sponsored by the National Dental Association, Hispanic Dental Association, and Society of Native American Dentists. Swann was a panelist in the Presidents' Symposium at the conference in the section "Oral Health Center Stage: The Media and Multi-Cultural Messaging," at which he spoke on the topic of dentists as oral physicians and interprofessional team leaders.