Saemundsson Begins Appointment in Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Sigurdur (Siggi) Saemundsson recently began his appointment as a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. He joined the faculty effective July 11, 2016.

“It’s so nice to be back in Chapel Hill, after 20 years,” said Saemundsson. “I owe my career as a pediatric dentist and epidemiologist to the education I received here at UNC in the nineties. Hopefully I can give back in some way during the coming years.”

In this role, Saemundsson will teach dental students and residents, and conduct research in public health and epidemiology. He is regarded as a master teacher and clinician who has participated in teaching at both the DDS and graduate levels. Saemundsson will also provide care directly to patients in the Dental Faculty Practice’s Pediatric Dentistry Group, and also will see patients at the UNC Hospitals Ambulatory Surgery Center.

“It is indeed a pleasure to welcome Siggi back to the UNC Pediatric Dentistry family again,” said Dr. Jessica Lee, chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. “He is a highly qualified and exceptionally well-trained pediatric dentist and will serve our students, residents and faculty as an outstanding teacher, clinician and mentor.”

Saemundsson joins UNC from Iceland, where he was the head of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Reykjavik. Saemundsson completed his dental school training at the University of Reykjavik in 1987 and then moved to Chapel Hill to finish three training programs: a Master in Public Health in health policy, a PhD in epidemiology, and a certificate in pediatric dentistry in 1996. He is additionally credentialed as a certified specialist in public health dentistry by the Ministry of Health in Iceland, holds his Master of Business Administration in international relations/HR management, and has been widely recognized for the quality of his research.