Appointments, Faculty and Staff

Jowers Begins Appointment with MAHEC

Katherine D. Jowers, DDS, has been appointed to associate professor and the director of the Rural Oral Health Scholars Program, as well as chair of dentistry at UNC Health Sciences at Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). She holds a faculty appointment with the Division of Comprehensive Oral Health at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, but will work full-time at MAHEC to supervise predoctorastudents. 

“I am a native of western North Carolina and a UNC Dental Alumnus, so I am doubly honored to have this opportunity to lead and develop the new Rural Scholars Program of the ASoD.  I’ve done program development, education and outreach in the mountains throughout my career, and I’ll use that experience to help new UNC dentists appreciate and be prepared to serve rural areas of North Carolina.  I will work to make us a strong western outpost for the great UNC Dental tradition.” 

Prior to joining the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, Jowers previously served as assistant director of the Community Service Learning Center-Spruce Pine with the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine.  

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Jowers join our UNC Adams School of Dentistry family, despite not being based in Chapel Hill,” said Scott S. De Rossi, DMD, MBA, dean and professor of the Adams School of Dentistry. “Her passion for service and her exceptional work as an educator are attributes that will greatly benefit our students, our expanded programs with MAHEC and rural oral health and we are incredibly excited for her to begin her work.” 

Jowers is also responsible for building the Mission Hospital Children’s Dental practice, a three-part dental practice that provides oral health care outreach, comprehensive rehabilitation, education and advocacy. The practice was nationally recognized by the Surgeon General’s conference in 2000. She also served as a clinical instructor for the practice and oversaw Adams School of Dentistry students and MAHEC residents during their rotations at the site.  

In addition to more than 20 years of practice within western North Carolina, she is a graduate of the Adams School of Dentistry and completed her general practice residency at the Carolina’s Medical Center GPR/Oral Med in Charlotte, North Carolina. The American Association of Hospital Dentists selected Jowers as a fellow, where she researched premedication for bacteremias 

Jowers is a member of the American Dental Association, the North Carolina Dental Society, the Special Care Dental Association/AAHD, American Association of Women Dentists, First District Dental Society and the Buncombe County Dental Society.