Paquette Named Assistant Dean for Graduate/Advanced Dental Education
Dr. David Paquette, associate professor of periodontology at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, has been named the School’s new assistant dean for graduate/advanced dental education, effective immediately.
The part-time position was previously held by Dr. Carroll-Ann Trotman, who left the School’s faculty in 2007 to become associate dean of academic affairs at the University of Maryland Dental School.
Paquette, a School faculty member since 1994, also is graduate program director for periodontology. To date, he has published 45 articles and two book chapters relating to possible links between periodontal and systemic health and other issues related to periodontal disease.
His current leadership roles include chairing the American Academy of Periodontology’s (AAP) Subcommittee on Research Submissions and serving on the editorial boards for six journals. He also is a past president of the International Association for Dental Research’s (IADR) Periodontology Research Group and was a fellow to the American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) 2006-07 Leadership Institute.
He is a 2006 recipient of the AAP’s R. Earl Robinson Regeneration Award, which is presented to the authors of a peer-reviewed paper that has contributed the most to knowledge of periodontal regeneration during the previous year. Paquette was among the co-authors on “Platelet-derived Growth Factor Stimulates Bone Fill and Rate of Attachment Level Gain: Results of a Large Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.”
In his new role as assistant dean, Paquette is responsible for planning and implementing policies, procedures and systems related to the advanced education programs at the School of Dentistry. He will lead coordination of admissions, curriculum, accreditation and outcomes assessment related to these programs and also will design and implement instructional tracks and collateral degree programs with other schools campuswide.
Other responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, mentoring students who may consider careers in academic dentistry and promoting research activities related to students in advanced education and collateral degree programs.
“Dr. Paquette is an exceptional researcher and role model for graduate students within our Department of Periodontology. In his expanded role, students in all of our graduate programs will benefit from his dedication and leadership,” said Dean John N. Williams.
“His abilities to see all sides of an issue, communicate the essentials of that issue and respectfully consider all viewpoints shared with him are among the qualities that make him eminently qualified for his new leadership role.”
Dr. Janet Guthmiller, associate dean for academic affairs, said she was looking forward to working with Paquette in his new role.
“During our upcoming DDS curriculum review and revision, Dr. Paquette will provide an essential link and leadership role as we explore non-traditional dual-degree tracks for our DDS students,” she added.
