Awards, Faculty and Staff, Pediatric Dentistry

Quinonez Wins National Award for Outstanding Dedication, Contributions to Oral Health in Medicine

Dr. Rocio Quinonez, associate professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, has been honored by the Society of Teachers and Family Medicine (STFM) for her contributions and leadership to the Steering Committee of Smiles for Life National Oral Health Curriculum.

The Smiles for Life 10th Anniversary Award recognized members of the steering committee, honoring them for their dedication and contributions to the project. As a member of the steering committee, Quinonez is engaged in oral health curriculum development targeted at primary health care settings. She has been a member since 2011.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this national initiative,” said Quinonez. “The work coincides nicely with our educational mission at UNC and it has helped inform my teaching and research. It has been a real honor to be recognized by the STFM.”

Smiles for Life is among the nation’s most comprehensive oral health curriculums designed for primary care clinicians. It provides online learning modules, presentations and other materials to encourage primary care clinicians to provide basic oral health care to their patients. Smiles for Life is endorsed by 15 major academic and professional dental and medical organizations, including the American Dental Association. It has become the core curriculum for close to 1,000 professional schools and residency programs.