The School of Dental Medicine Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) works closely with the curriculum committee for the predoctoral program to carry out the educational arm of the stated vision, mission, and goals of the School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Jean O’Donnell, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, chairs the Curriculum Committee. The committee consists of representation from each department in the school, students in each of the four years of the program, and consultants from within the school and the University. The consultants represent faculty development, clinical affairs, instructional design and the Health Sciences Library.
The School of Dental Medicine Curriculum Development Administrator brings expertise in higher education to support both the OAA and the Curriculum Committee in their work.
Committees
The Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee for the pre-doctoral program reviews curricular changes proposed by the faculty and recommends curricular changes to the faculty and the dean. The committee monitors the implementation of the curriculum and coordinates all curricular activities and programs.
Committee Chair
Dr. Joanne Prasad, Chair Curriculum Committee, Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs
Ms. Melanie Reyes, Vice-Chair, Director of Predoctoral Education
Ex-officio
Dr. Jean O'Donnell, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Members
Dr. Abimbola Adewumi, Chair, Pediatric Dentistry (Dr. Adriana Modesto Gomes Da Silva, Faculty Designee)
Dr. Elia Beniash, Chair, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Helen Giannakopoulos, Chair, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Dr. Mark Sosovicka, Faculty Designee)
Dr. Sarah Grafton, Chair, Restorative Dentistry/Comprehensive Care
Dr. Anitha Potluri, Chair, Diagnostic Sciences
Dr. Wellington Rody, Chair, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (Dr. Fayrouz Bazina, Faculty Designee)
Dr. Mark Saxen, Chair, Anesthesiology
Dr. Charles Sfeir, Chair, Periodontics and Preventive Dentistry
Dr. Renato Silva, Chair, Endodontics
Dr. Sean Simon, Director, Center for Continuing Dental Education
Dr. Cortino Sukotjo, Chair, Prosthodontics
Dr. Lynne Taiclet, Director, Center for Patients with Special Needs
Dr. Christine Wankiiri-Hale (ex-officio), Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Dr. Robert Weyant, Chair, Dental Public Health; Interim Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs
Consultants
Dr. Zsuzsa Horvath, Director, Office of Academic Career Advancement
Ms. Julia Nainiger, Administrative Assistant, Academic Affairs
Mr. Richard Oravetz, Director of Instructional Technology, School of Dental Medicine
Ms. Rachel Suppok, Health Sciences Library Liaison
Students
The committee invites presidents of each current pre-doctoral class to serve as student representatives.
The Student Progress Committee
The Student Promotion Committee regularly reviews the overall progress and grading of predoctoral students and makes recommendations regarding student promotion.
Committee Chair
Dr. Kurt Summersgill, Chair, Faculty, Diagnostic Sciences
Ex-officio
Dr. Jean O'Donnell, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Dr. Christine Wankiiri-Hale, Associate Dean, Student Affairs
Members
Dr. Nyla Balakrishnan, Faculty, Dental Public Health
Dr. Mark Nigra, Faculty, Restorative Dentistry and Comprehensive Care
Dr. Rebecca Green, Faculty, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences
Dr. Heidi Huber, Faculty, Prosthodontics