Prosthodontics Department Hosts Annual Matthew Wood Dinner and Symposium

The UNC School of Dentistry Department of Prosthodontics hosted its second annual Matthew Wood Prosthodontics Symposium last month. The event was started in 2012 as a way to honor former long-time faculty member Dr. Matthew Wood, who retired from full-time service to the school in 1994.

The symposium kicked off with a dinner, sponsored by Zimmer Dental Inc., at the Carolina Inn for attendees to celebrate and reconnect. Dr. Sompop Bencharit delivered opening remarks to the group, sharing the history of the event and the department’s vision for the meeting. Dean Jane Weintraub also made remarks prior to presenting the Matthew Wood Prosthodontics Excellence Award to Dr. Paul Scruggs. Scruggs is a part-time faculty member and was accompanied that evening by his wife, son and daughter-in-law. The award recognizes significant contributions to prosthodontics education and practice. Following the award presentation, Department Chair Dr. Robert Wright gave closing remarks in honor of Wood.

On Friday, the Matthew Wood Prosthodontics Symposium was held at the Koury Oral Health Science Building. The symposium featured a keynote lecture from Dr. Gerard Chiche, a world-renowned prosthodontist who specializes in esthetics. Attendees also heard lectures from school faculty members, including Bencharit, Dr. Ingeborg De Kok, Dr. Lisa Stoner, Dr. Carlos Barrero and Dr. Gustavo Mendonca. Topics included diagnosis and treatment planning, materials and dental implants in esthetic fixed protheses. The symposium was sponsored by Zimmer Dental Inc., Brasseler USA, Drake and Absolute Dental.

“It’s always exciting to host this event,” said Bencharit. “We really enjoy getting former faculty members and alumni back to Chapel Hill to interact with current faculty and residents. This is a tradition we look forward to continuing for many years to come as a way to not only stay connected, but to honor our dear friend Matt Wood.”

The department plans to host the 2014 Matthew Wood Symposium again in the fall. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

The symposium raises awareness for the Matthew T. Wood Faculty Support Endowment Fund, which was established in 2012. The fund is used to support clinical teaching in the department, including the recruitment and retention of clinical faculty. To contribute to the fund, call Paul Gardner, associate dean for advancement, at (919) 537-3258.