Karunanayake Appointed Associate Professor in the Department of Endodontics
Glen Karunanayake, BDS, MS, has joined the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry’s Department of Endodontics as a full-time associate professor.
“I am delighted to be part of the UNC-CH School of Dentistry: an excellent school, in beautiful surroundings with charming people,” said Karunanayake. “I am excited about the opportunities I have at UNC-Chapel Hill to exchange ideas, knowledge and techniques, leading to innovation and research.”
Karunanayake’s responsibilities as an associate professor with the department include teaching endodontics, working in the clinics and seeing patients at the Dental Faculty Practice. His research interests include differential diagnosis of oro-facial pain, non-surgical root canal retreatment, endodontic surgery and the restoration of root filled teeth.
“Dr. Karunanayake’s background and experience will make him a great asset to the department and allow us to address our increasing responsibilities more effectively,” said Chair of the Department of Endodontics Ashraf Fouad, DDS, MS.
Karunanayake received his dental degree from United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals in London, England, and earned his master’s degree from the University College London (UCL) Eastman Dental Institute in London, England.
He is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in restorative dentistry (MRD RCS), which is recognized by professionals in England as the end point of training in one of the restorative dentistry specialties, including endodontics, periodontics and fixed and removable prosthodontics.
Prior to joining the UNC-CH School of Dentistry, Karunanayake practiced endodontics for the past fourteen years in London, England. He also held a part-time faculty position at Guy’s and St. Thomas Hospitals and King’s College teaching endodontology from 2004-2014. In his more than ten years of teaching experience, he has contributed to the training of more than 120 undergraduate dental students and 64 graduate students. He also served as an honorary clinical supervisor with the UCL Eastman Dental Institute since 2008.