Matthews Joins Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Nigel Shaun Matthews, DDS, MD, FRCS, recently began his appointment as clinical associate professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Matthews comes to UNC from London, England where he was a consultant at King’s College Hospital.

“I am extremely excited at the prospect of working at UNC and being part of such a center of excellence,” stated Matthews. “I was attracted to the position here not only by the quality of the facilities which allows clinicians to deliver an exceptional level of patient care but also by the collaborative work ethic of colleagues in a range of disciplines, ranging from clinical to academic and research focused personnel. It is my hope that my entirely British-based training and outlook will add a different perspective to what is an already successful department.”

In Matthews’s new role at UNC, he will participate in all clinical, teaching, research and scholarly activities of the department. He will continue to pursue his clinical interests in TMJ treatment, trauma, orthognatic surgery and oral surgery.

“The department sees him as a great addition that will complement our efforts and add to the breadth of what the department offers, “explained Dr. Timothy Turvey, chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. “We’re pleased to add another well-respected faculty member to our roster. His expertise and commitment to excellence will certainly further the mission of our department, the school and the University.”

A native of Barbados, Matthews was educated on the island through high school. He ventured to the United Kingdom for his university studies: first dentistry in Scotland, then medicine in London. He spent three years as a resident in general surgery and general medicine followed by five years doing oral and maxillofacial surgery. In typical British fashion, Matthews rotated through 17 different hospitals during his training, at the completion of which he was appointed consultant at Hammersmith Hospitals. Three years later, he was appointed Consultant at King’s College Hospital in London where he remained for nine years.

During his time at King’s College Hospital, Matthews developed an interest in TMJ problems and created an interdisciplinary group with pain specialists, surgeons, psychiatrists, physiotherapists, restorative dentists, maxillofacial prosthetists and others to provide comprehensive care for this population. This team is the only comprehensive unit of its type in the entire UK.

Matthews is a well-known thought leader in oral and maxillofacial surgery and has been published widely in international journals. He maintains membership in a number of professional organizations, including the American Society of TMJ Surgeons, and has lectured and presented abstracts at numerous professional meetings.