Pettiette Begins Appointment as Assistant Dean for Admissions and Pre-doctoral Education
Effective July 1, Dr. Mary Pettiette began her appointment as the school’s new assistant dean for admissions and pre-doctoral education. This position was previously held by Dr. Al Wilder, who has entered phased retirement.
“I am excited about this new role in my career,” said Pettiette. “I look forward to interfacing with applicants and to ensuring the UNC School of Dentistry continues to recruit students who are of the highest caliber. I am honored to be succeeding Dr. Wilder in this important position, and I plan to carry forth the legacy of dedication and excellence that Dr. Wilder and his predecessors have established.”
In her new role, Pettiette will be responsible for administering the D.D.S. admissions process and chairing the selection committee for prospective dental school applicants. The UNC School of Dentistry receives more than 1,400 completed applications every year for the D.D.S. program, which accepts just 81 students per class. She is also in charge of predoctoral education and will be working closely with the Office of Academic Affairs in this role. The position also facilitates the White Coat Ceremony and the Spurgeon Awards Banquet.
Pettiette earned her D.D.S. from Louisiana State University in 1984, and her certificate of endodontics from LSU in 1986. After spending time at LSU and in private practice, Pettiette served on the UNC faculty in the Department of Endodontics from 1990-2004. Pettiette returned to private practice in 2004 for seven years before rejoining the endodontic faculty at UNC in the summer of 2011. She has been an active member of organized dental associations, including serving as president of the N.C. State Endodontic Society in 2002, as a member of the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) Board of Directors from 2006-09, and secretary for both the AAE Foundation and endodontic section of the American Dental Education Association.
