Harvard School of Dental Medicine is the only school within Harvard that provides direct patient care through the Harvard Dental Center. The Harvard Dental Center is a state-of-the-art facility offering comprehensive dental care in a range of dental specialties. Comprehensive care is offered in the Faculty Group Practice by both full- and part-time Harvard faculty. In theTeaching Practices, treatment is delivered by predoctoral and advanced graduate dental students at a cost that is approximately 30% to 40% less than fees charged at a private dental practices.
Growing up just outside of Philadelphia, PA, Beck headed to the west coast to attend the University of California (UC), Berkeley as an undergrad, balancing her academic career between her studies and research in integrative biology, and playing Division I lacrosse.
Facing career-ending injuries in the beginning of her junior year playing lacrosse, Beck was confronted with a difficult decision: quit the lacrosse team or define a new role that would allow her to contribute in a meaningful way. She soon became an essential link between the coaching staff and team leading practices and refining techniques ultimately focusing on her communication and listening skills to bring people together to achieve success on and off the field.
With a keen interest in medicine in college, I soon found myself drawn to the team sport of surgery, said Beck. The coordinated effort of the operative team to work through challenging cases and provide outstanding patient care resonated with my experience as a student-athlete.
After transitioning from being a student-athlete at UC Berkeley, Beck soon found herself searching for a new niche at HSDM. Shadowing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in college, she saw first-hand the impact he had on his patients and their families through simple acts of kindness that built trust and put his patients at ease. Inspired by this experience, Beck committed herself to pursuing a DMD and MD to follow in oral and maxillofacial surgery. While studying at Harvard Medical School (HMS) in her first year of the HSDM curriculum, she worked with classmates and mentors to develop and execute the first global surgery symposium for students and trainees in Boston.
Our event drew over 200 in-person attendees and thousands of virtual viewers worldwide. We built on the success of this symposium to establish and grow an internationally recognized non-profit, the Global Surgery Student Alliance (GSSA), that now supports over 2,400 students and trainees through research, education, and mentorship, with partnerships spanning the globe.
Beck and her co-founders recognized that engaging students in global surgery efforts early in their careers is critical. To achieve the 2030 goals put forth by The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and The World Bank, one must augment the global surgery workforce.
While building GSSA, Beck found her calling surgical innovation and expanding access to care. She spent time in India researching underdiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and uncovering the aftereffects that can arise from a lack of suitable infrastructure in health systems. Motivated to understand how to improve health systems, Beck put a pause on her DMD program at HSDM to pursue her MBA at Cornell University between her second and third years at HSDM.
Aside from the hard skills I obtained, I learned how critical it is to have people in the room who can understand and integrate various perspectives. Great leaders are not only those who can execute effective strategies, but rather those who can also communicate in a manner that ensures everyone feels heard and understood.
My long-term goal is to integrate my clinical expertise, business acumen, and academic research experience to function as a link between multi-disciplinary stakeholders to strengthen healthcare systems by developing sustainable infrastructure that aims to improve access to, and delivery of, surgical care.
Passionate about expanding access to care, especially surgical care, Beck will continue her advanced education after graduation with a six-year residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Harvards Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) program.
Surgery is a cornerstone of medicine and dentistry, said Beck. One of my primary objectives is to become a great clinician who is able to understand the needs and desires of my patients and to then diagnose and treat them appropriately. I want to learn the full scope of OMFS and be comfortable and competent treating and managing complex patient cases across the spectrum of this specialty.
Reviews
Rating 4.3 out of 5 based on 39 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestMarty Glassman
a year ago
So glad we found this practice! This is a clinic that takes infection control seriously, with Covid-19 being not so done with us, not to mention scary issues with long Covid. We stayed away from dental offices during the pandemic until we found the Harvard dental school clinics. (Note this is for the faculty practice!). But way beyond that, both dentists that have seen me so far are not only highly competent, but excellent communicators. Dr. Costa is an active listener, who took a real interest in my background, not seeing me as just a dental patient. He also helped me feel better about the range of dental issues that I've developed by avoiding dental offices during the pandemic. Dr. Caruso has been extremely gentle in treating cavities, as I usually go without novocaine -- that's a real test of a dentist -- whether they will work with you in that way, and how it goes during a procedure. She is also really great on communication, and was extremely helpful in my decision making process regarding my upcoming endodontic evaluations. I've had one amazing dentist, for a long time, in Pennsylvania, and they are right up there with Dr. Brown (who is now a psychologist, in case you live in the Philly area, and need a good psychologist who used to be a dentist!).
Robert they will simply the best Johnson
a year ago
My name is Robin Johnson I am Dr. Benjamin Costa patient I must say Dr. Benjamin Costa is simply the best he takes care of me each and every time he is a very passionate doctor I will give him an A+ sincerely Robert Johnson
tom hayes
a year ago
It is impossible to communicate with the Cambridge office. Cambridge office does not answer the telephone, and after a painfully-long hold, promises a call-back that does not occur, provides no email address. I need to change an appointment time, and cannot.
Nayara Araujo Soares
2 years ago
Absolutely horrible! They hang up on your face and don't provide information when asked. Tried to ask questions and the person was rude and very mean on the phone. Horrible Customer service!
G H
2 years ago
I had a wonderful experience. Dr Costa is very talented & professional. He does precise, thorough, thoughtful & painless work. He remains calm, patient & polite. He can restore teeth to health while keeping them natural looking. He began with full evaluations, explored options & cost effective considerations, made a plan & carried it out, had a review appt & ended with maintenance & follow up recommendations. The staff is very pleasant & professional & the office is always clean.
Rachel Clarey
2 years ago
I had a fantastic experience at Harvard Dental Center - Cambridge. I felt comfortable the entire time and I really appreciated the level of information about my care they shared during my visit. Definitley recommend them if you are looking for a dentist!
Mac Daniel
2 years ago
Dr. Costa and his team are wonderful and professional and put me at ease, explaining procedures and doing the work efficiently and oh so well. Highest recommendation. Your teeth will thank you.
Jacob Sweet
2 years ago
Always have a great experience. Friendly staff, no waits, easy scheduling.
james kim
2 years ago
excellent care!
Susan Barron
2 years ago
I have been a patient of the Dental Service for over 12 years! I recently had my teeth cleaned by RINCHEN. She was thorough and caring
J Poolner
2 years ago
Glad to see that the change in management has made improvements to what was already a great practice.
Scott Kinkade
2 years ago
Alma and Dr. Costa did a great job cleaning my teeth and explaining why I needed to have further dental work done.
Andrew Wade
2 years ago
Super attentive, professional, and friendly. Also great views of Cambridge (7th floor office)!
Adoulou N. Bitang
2 years ago
Careful and professional practitioners. Nothing else to say! Good job folks!
Rohan Naidu
2 years ago
Have been going here on and off for the last ~4 yrs. Highly recommend Dr. Costa and Hygienist Rinchun! Both are extremely patient, very sensitive human beings, and exude genuine positivity!
Carol Miller
2 years ago
I experienced excellent care in a very friendly atmosphere It was a pleasant experience with a very professional crew.
Matthew Meselson
2 years ago
Excellent
Lynn Wang DeLacey
2 years ago
Took me into my appointment efficiently and I am pleased with the service and care.
Rosemond Ricot
2 years ago
Excellent service. Did not wait long to be seen and like the professional approach and appreciate the courtesy being subject to. Thank you
K
2 years ago
Dental service was very good, and staff are friendly. However, I was significantly overcharged for services, it has been over four months now and I am still having no luck getting my messages returned from the office to process a refund.
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