The power of transformative patient care
Prosthodontics graduate is fueled by service to his patients, students, and family
For Oliver Viera, MMSc26, dentistry is the ultimate renaissance profession.
“My grandfather, who was a dentist in Cuba, created the acronym DENTISTA (dentist in Spanish) to describe the profession as a combination of many roles—doctor, engineer, nutritionist, therapist, investigator, scientist, teacher, and artist,” he said.
Viera, a third-generation dentist, was drawn to the specialty of Prosthodontics (Pros), where he could tap into all those roles to rebuild patients' smiles along with their confidence and quality of life.
“I chose Pros because I get to treat the most challenging patient cases. It's the transformative part of it,” he said. “You go through the treatment process with somebody who thought they had the worst teeth, and then they look in the mirror, and they're just like, ‘wow, this is amazing!’”
Before coming to Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) for his specialty training, Viera completed his undergraduate degree at Cornell University and worked as an EMT. He then earned his dental degree from Touro College of Dental Medicine where he was actively involved in community service and oral health outreach programs.
The chance to transform people’s lives through reconstructive dental work was a big part of his decision to come to HSDM, as was the chance to elevate his skillset by working with Prosthodontics program director Dr. Jason D. Lee.
"I saw the work Dr. Lee and his residents were doing...The complexity of the cases was at a really high level, and that's what I wanted to learn how to do,” he said.
As an advanced graduate student at HSDM, Viera has worked on complex cases with patients affected by congenital diseases or missing an entire set of teeth. These conditions can interfere with speaking, chewing, and nutrition, impacting quality of life.
After showing patients how their mouth will look after treatment, he’s had patients break down in tears of gratitude at the sight of how transformed their new appearance will be.
“Seeing those kinds of reactions gives you that rocket fuel,” he said.
‘Rocket fuel’ is often what is needed to get through the demanding Pros program. Residents are continually perfecting their work in the lab—designing, fabricating, and repairing dental prosthetics to replace missing or damaged teeth. Viera admits there were days during residency when he felt like he lived in the lab more than his own apartment.
“Through late nights and frustrating parts of learning, everybody's there to support you. Reflecting on residency, some of my favorite memories include decompressing with impromptu screaming sessions or blasting music in the lab with my co-residents at 2 a.m.,” he said.
Viera’s strong bonds with his co-residents became an essential support system. During his residency, he and his wife welcomed a baby boy, and Viera juggled long days in the clinic and lab with the demands of fatherhood.
Even with intense hours, Viera found time to mentor pre-dental and DMD students. He participated as an instructor in the MEDscience program, teaching high school students about careers in dentistry. And he served as clinical resident instructor for third- and fourth-year dental students during their Final Restorative Treatment (FRTx) course.
His work with the DMD Class of 2026 earned him accolades from the class when they chose to honor him with this year’s Outstanding Resident Teaching Award.
In their nomination, the students said, “His willingness to teach and help us develop into competent and confident providers has been evident through each encounter in the teaching practice, PCLC, and the Pros lab...He is a clinician and teacher that a lot of people aspire to be...we are so grateful to have been able to learn from one of the best!”
The feeling is shared by Viera, who found a supportive learning environment at HSDM and was impressed by the caliber of the students he mentored.
“This year's graduating class is bright and full of promise. They were very easy to teach, and it was rewarding to watch them progress,” he said. “They were, in large part, a big motivator for me as well. I didn't want to let them down when they sought me out for help. They kept me sharper and helped to boost my own capabilities. I wish them all the success and luck in their future endeavors.”
After graduation, Viera is planning to work in private practice in Connecticut. While he’ll miss the community at HSDM, he’s looking forward to stable working hours, a more consistent sleep schedule, and being back home with his wife and son.
As he reflects on the past three years of his residency, he’s grateful for the experience that shaped his career.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank my director, Dr. Jason D. Lee, all our faculty in AGE Prosthodontics, and my co-residents who have served as my motivators, mentors, role models, and friends,” he said. “Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today.”