UM Today | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
October 1, 2025 —
While social media didn’t exist when Dr. Patricia Kmet began dental school 42 years ago, she said there were influencers in the form of her professors.
“We had influencers, but the products they promoted weren’t designer handbags or Starbucks lattes, they promoted core values, clinical judgement, work ethic, tough love, respect and excellence in dentistry, and I bought what they were selling,” Kmet said while accepting this year’s University of Manitoba Dental Alumni Association’s Alumni of Distinction Award at a gala on Sept. 19 at the Fort Garry Hotel.
Dr. Patricia Kmet
Kmet is a UM alum who earned a bachelor of science in 1983 and graduated with her Doctor of Dental Medicine in 1987.
For 35 years, Kmet practised at Regent Avenue Dental until her retirement in 2024. She was also a part-time instructor for a decade in the restorative and pediatric departments at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry.
Kmet was a board member of the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) from 2002 to 2009, serving as president in 2008-09.
Kmet’s honours from the dental community include being inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the International College of Dentists. She also received the MDA President’s Award of Merit in 2022.
At the Alumni of Distinction Awards Evening, Kmet said the most important “AI” in dentistry today are “alumni influencers,” who are needed to help the next generation emerge with excellence, integrity and purpose.
“My path was shaped by AI, alumni influencers. The cycle must continue so our alma mater, the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, remains a leader in dental education in Canada,” Kmet said.
Mary Bertone, an associate professor who has led UM’s School of Dental Hygiene for the past 11 years, was honoured with the UM School of Dental Hygiene Alumni Association’s Alumni of Distinction Award.
Bertone told the audience that her interest in oral health began when a dental hygienist visited her elementary school class in Brandon, Man.
Mary Bertone (left)
“I was captivated … This professional planted a seed within me, and my path to becoming a dental hygienist had begun. I had a level of clarity for my future long before I knew what that word meant,” she said.
Bertone went on to earn from UM a diploma in dental hygiene in 2005, a bachelor of science in dental hygiene in 2011 and a master of public health in 2015.
Her provincial and national leadership roles have included serving as president of the Manitoba Dental Hygienists Association and the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association.
Throughout her career, Bertone has been committed to improving oral health care for underserved populations, including older adults, those with disabilities, care home residents, people in remote communities, Indigenous people and newcomers to Canada.
She has also been involved in many research projects, focusing on topics such as the promotion of early childhood oral health.
“In closing, I wish I could go back in time and tell that little girl at Green Acres Elementary School in Brandon about tonight, to tell her the dream was worth it,” Bertone said.
Dentistry Class of 1975
The awards evening also honoured the Dentistry Class of 1975. Dr. Bill Fallon gave remarks on behalf of his class, which was celebrating its 50th reunion.
Fallon shared a story about how someone recently asked him where he had trained to become a dentist. He replied, “U of M,” but the person didn’t know where it was.
“So, I took the initiative, which I always do, and said that’s the University of Manitoba – one of the best,” Fallon said.
Dean of the UM dental college Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis informed the audience that the fundraising campaign for the new clinics in the Dr. Gerald and Reesa Niznick Centre, currently under construction, is nearing 80 per cent of its goal. And 95 per cent of that support comes from UM dentistry alumni, she added.
Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis
Kelekis-Cholakis said that Dr. Michael Benarroch, UM president and vice-chancellor, recently told her he was amazed by the number of people who have stepped up to support the campaign.
“He said to me, ‘Oh my goodness, you’ve done a great job,’ and the truth of the matter is, I have not done it. It is you who have done the job because none of you have turned me down when I’ve gone up and asked you to help,” Kelekis-Cholakis said.
“That moment reminded me of something we all know to be true – our alumni community is unlike any other.”
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