Appointments, Endodontics, Faculty and Staff

Pettiette Rejoins School as Endodontic Clinical Associate Professor

Dr. Mary T. Pettiette recently rejoined the UNC School of Dentistry as a full-time clinical associate professor in the Department of Endodontics. Dr. Pettiette graduated from Northeast Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from Louisiana State University in 1984. She received her Certificate of Endodontics from LSU in 1986 and became a board certified endodontist in 1989.

After completing her endodontic training, Dr. Pettiette held a part-time faculty position at LSU and had a private practice in New Orleans. She joined the UNC Endodontic faculty in 1990. During her tenure at UNC, Dr. Pettiette served on numerous thesis committees, served as director of the endodontic clinic for undergraduate students, served as acting graduate program director, and served as acting chair of the Department of Endodontics from 1992-93. Dr. Pettiette returned to the private sector in 2004 and practiced in Pinehurst, NC until rejoining the UNC faculty.

During her career, Dr. Pettiette has remained active at the state and national level of endodontic governing bodies. She was president of the North Carolina State Endodontic Society (2002), was a member of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Endodontists (2006-2009), and is currently a member of the AAE Foundation Board. Additionally, through her appointment by the American Dental Association, Dr. Pettiette also served as a site visitor for postgraduate endodontic programs for the ADA Commission on Dental School Accreditation from 1999 to 2003.

Dr. Pettiette is a published author who has received grant funding to conduct her research projects. Her research interests focus upon clinical applications to endodontics. Dr. Pettiette’s research in the late 90’s helped support the change from using stainless steel endodontic files to nickel titanium files in endodontic instrumentation. She is currently evaluating the potential effects of statin medications on pulpal calcification.

Dr. Pettiette’s career has combined private endodontic practice with academics. In her current position, she will instruct both the endodontic graduate students and predoctoral students in the didactic and clinical settings. She will also provide patient care in the Dental Faculty Practice and will continue her research endeavors.