Departments

Dental Public Health

Professor and Chair: Richard Manski, DDS, PhD

In its teaching, research, and service activities, the Department of Dental Public Health continually develops, evaluates, and disseminates information and methods to meet the needs of dental healthcare providers and the public. The major areas of teaching responsibility are the history of dentistry, oral healthcare delivery, evidence-based practice, and practice administration for the pre-doctoral dental program. The Department is also responsible for coordinating the dental externship program and teaching evidence-based practice for the dental hygiene program. The Department conducts research in a variety of areas that relate to dental public health, health services administration, and health policy. The Department is also responsible for all operations of the National Museum of Dentistry (NMD). The NMD is a Smithsonian Affiliate Organization, has one of the most comprehensive dental collections in the world, is the national collection for the social, cultural, economic, scientific and technological history of dentistry and represents the origins and development of dentistry in the United States as well as a significant portion of its development in the rest of the world. The museum received Congressional designation as the official museum of the dental profession of the United States in 2003.

Advanced Oral Sciences and Therapeutics

Professor and Chair: Thomas Oates, DMD, PhD

The department contains three dental specialty areas and is responsible for major segments of the predoctoral dental curriculum encompassing endodontics, dental biomaterials, geriatric dentistry and fixed and removable prosthodontics and periodontics. The department also includes a dental hygiene program and offers a degree completion and Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. Three-year certificate programs in postgraduate endodontics, post-graduate periodontics and postgraduate prosthodontics are offered as well as specialty observerships (6 months or 1 year) for foreign-trained dentists in Periodontics and Prosthodontics. Further training for certified periodontists and prosthodontists is offered in an Implant Periodontal – Prosthetic Fellowship for management and treatment of complex implant prosthodontic patients.

The department has an active research program in all aspects of advanced dental care and includes: regenerative biology and therapy, microbial genetics, chemotherapeutic agents, periodontal pathogens, implantology, and biostatistics of endodontic infections and their relationship to systemic disease, digital dentistry, dental materials, nanocomposites, calcium phosphates, novel methods of controlling tooth sensitivity, evaluation of physical properties of numerous dental materials, and bioactive ceramics. Our department members also collaborate with public health to establish best practices for oral health care delivery and access to care.

General Dentistry

Associate Professor and Chair:  Mary Anne Melo, DDS, MSc, PhD, FADM

Our mission is to educate the students in the art, science and practice of dentistry and to promote professional standards of excellence. We provide students with the highest quality multidisciplinary educational approach. The students are mentored to provide excellent patient care, to promote evidence-based dentistry, lifelong learning, desire to pursue advanced training and foster attachments with institutions of higher learning. We are committed to improving oral health and the quality of life for the people of Maryland.

Microbial Pathogenesis

Professor and Chair:  Robert Ernst, PhD

The department conducts multidisciplinary research in microbial pathogenesis, educates students in the biology of oral and other microbial pathogens, and provides service to the School of Dentistry, the University, and the community. Continued development of the department emphasizes integration of its research activities into the graduate and postgraduate programs of the School of Dentistry through a faculty-driven curriculum in interactive classroom settings as well as department-supported research projects.

Neural and Pain Sciences

Professor and Chair: Richard Traub, PhD

This is a research-intensive department focused in the area of neuroscience, with a strong emphasis on the neurobiology of pain. Research initiatives encompass basic, translational, and clinical science programs. Educational missions involve instruction in the School of Dentistry and Graduate School curricula and mentored research training for both predoctoral students and post-doctoral fellows.

Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences

Professor and Chair: Renty Franklin, PhD

In addition to providing instruction in radiology, oral medicine, and diagnostic sciences for the predoctoral program, the department presents courses for graduate and postgraduate students and offers programs leading to a certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and/or a doctoral degree. Also, graduate training programs are offered in surgical, clinical, and experimental pathology. Research and graduate training are conducted in the pathobiology of cancer, connective tissues, stress proteins, developmental biology, dental management of medically compromised patients, prevention of infection in immunocompromised patients, evaluation of drugs to treat bacterial and fungal infections of the oral cavity and the role of viruses in cancer and its treatment.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Professor and Chair: Robert A. Ord, DDS, MD, MS

The department provides instruction in the second, third and fourth years of the predoctoral program. The third year dental students rotate for one week at the University of Maryland Medical Center, participating in the OR and the outpatient clinic. A fourth year clerkship elective in Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery provides students an opportunity to perform more advanced dentoalveolar surgery and participate more fully in surgical care at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The postgraduate program in oral-maxillofacial surgery includes training at the University of Maryland Medical System and University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Research is conducted in chemoprevention of oral carcinoma and pain management techniques. The department is also involved in evaluation of analgesics for postsurgical pain control and tumor immunology.

Orthodontics/Pediatric Dentistry

Clinical Professor and Chair: Vineet Dhar, BDS, MDS, PhD

Predoctoral instruction in orthodontics provides a strong foundation for delivery of limited orthodontic treatment as part of an adult and child patient’s comprehensive dental care. Clerkship and other elective opportunities are available for those who wish to pursue additional course work and clinical experience. The postgraduate program prepares students for specialty certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.

The department conducts research in growth and development, experimental and diagnostic imaging, the biology of tooth movement, properties and biocompatibility of orthodontic materials, and the physiology of the tongue and facial musculature, and the pathophysiology and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children and adults.