Pimenta Named Assistant Dean for Global Initiatives
Effective July 1, Dr. Luiz Pimenta will begin his new appointment as the school’s first assistant dean for global initiatives.
“Globalization—the increasing transnational circulation of money, goods, people, ideas, and information worldwide—is generally recognized as one of the most powerful forces shaping healthcare,” said Scott S. De Rossi, dean and professor of the school. “The creation of this office and the appointment of Dr. Pimenta as its director allow our school to be better positioned as the leader in oral health on a global scale.”
In this position, Pimenta will direct the new Office of Global Initiatives. As the Office of Global Initiatives continues to be formalized, Pimenta will advise on structure of the office and how the school can utilize its resources more efficiently to impact oral health on a global level in addition to developing new and exciting programs that support the global mission of the University. He will continue overseeing the school’s international service trips and acting as the dental director for the UNC Craniofacial Center.
“The new Office of Global Initiatives at the UNC School of Dentistry will operate to positively impact dentistry globally through its mission and by sharing the school’s core values, providing care to underserved communities,” said Pimenta. “In collaboration with other schools on campus, we will develop initiatives to improve care, and together, potentially impact quality of life worldwide. Nationally and regionally, we will be able to open the opportunity for our students, faculty and staff to interact with other leading global dental schools, to initiate and foster mutually advantageous relationships that facilitate student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research and scholarship. Certainly, those initiatives and integrative efforts will allow our students to become even more conscientious global citizens, aware and respectful of world cultures.”
Pimenta joined UNC from the School of Dentistry at Piracicaba – State University of Campinas (Unicamp) – Sao Paulo Brazil, where he was full professor at the Department of Restorative Dentistry from 1992 until 2006. He received his DDS from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (UFMG), his Master of Science from the University of Sao Paulo (USP), Bauru, Brazil, and his PhD from the State University of Sao Paulo (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil. He also holds a certificate in restorative dentistry and prosthodontics and practiced full-time with emphasis in preventive, restorative, and esthetic dentistry. For patients with cleft lip and palate, Pimenta also fabricates oral appliances to help with speech, function, and esthetics.
Pimenta has presented many lectures and continuing education courses regionally, nationally and internationally, and he has published over 100 scientific articles and 90 abstracts, and has co-written five textbook chapters. He is also member of several professional organizations including the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, the International Association for Dental Research and the American Dental Education Association. He serves as associate editor and manuscript reviewer for several scientific publications.
