College of Dental Medicine Lasting Impressions Magazine

26 NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY For Peter R. Pugliese , D.D.S., retirement brought a move to Boca Raton, Florida, and days filled with a variety of activities, such as bicycling, running, playing tennis, and enjoying the outdoors. Something, however, was missing. On one particular bike ride, he noticed a sign for an organization of retired dentists. During his conversation there, he mentioned that retirement had left a void in his life. It was suggested he contact the newly opened NSU College of Dental Medicine. “I was more than willing to just volunteer at the new college,” said Pugliese, who had retired after 35 years in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio. “It was just to be connected again to the profession.” He began to volunteer, donating his services in the Predoctoral Clinic before being offered a paid position as an adjunct, which then turned into a part-time position. For the last 12 years, he has been a full-time professor. Pugliese, who turns 82 in September, said teaching at the CDM “is the best thing for me at this stage in my life. I’m still able to use my talent in something I’ve done all of my life. The students are refreshing,” he added. “I learn from the students, because they are always asking me challenging questions. I admire my colleagues and learn from them every day.” He also enjoys being part of the fast-paced evolution of dentistry. “This is not like dentistry when I was in practice and amalgam was the only game in town,” Pugliese said. “The students are doing cases now that many dentists on the outside would be very happy to have the opportunity to do. This profession is evolving with the new 3-D print- ing and CAD/CAM [computer-aided design, computer- aided manufacturing].” Pugliese said he is fortunate to be with the students from the first day they enter dental school. He teaches dental anatomy and operative dentistry to the first-year students in Integrated Restorative Dental Sciences and connects with them all the way through their four years. He also teaches in the Predoctoral Clinic during their third and fourth years when they are treating patients. “When I give a lecture during the first week of dental school, they look so young to me. When I look at them working in the clinic, they’ve matured. They look like dentists. The transition over four years is amazing. I am honored to be able to be a part of their journey in our profession,” said Pugliese, who received the Golden Apple Award in 2016 and the Apollonia Award in 2017 in recogni- tion of his outstanding dedication and commitment to educating CDM students. FACULTY IMPRESSIONS Reinventing Retirement TEACHING KEEPS CONNECTION TO PROFESSION BY CAROL BRZOZOWSKI