Appointments, Faculty and Staff

Swords Begins Appointment as Assistant Professor 

Stephanie B. Swords, DDS, was recently appointed assistant professor in the UNC Adams School of Dentistry’s Division of Comprehensive Oral Health.  

As a general dentist, her responsibilities will include teaching, covering predoctoral clinics and seeing Carolina Dentistry patients. As a preceptor in the student clinics she will work with predoctoral students on their skills and help prepare them for private practice.  

I am thrilled to join the team at UNC Adams School of Dentistry,” said Swords. “It is a privilege to join this prestigious institution and collaborate with like-minded individuals in all facets of dental education. I am excited to be a part of the new, groundbreaking curriculum that will best prepare our students for the changing world of dentistry.” 

Dr. Swords brings many years of experience in private practice and in predoctoral education,” said Division of Comprehensive Oral Health chair, Cristiano Susin, DDS, MSD, PhD. She will be a great preceptor for our students and a skillful clinician for our patients. We are pleased to have her as a part of our team. 

Prior to joining the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, Swords has worked in a variety of practice settings including corporate dentistry, locum tenens, group practice, as well as solo private practice. She has also served as an adjunct clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry. She was named a Top 40 Under 40 Dentists by Benco Dental Incisal Edge in 2015.  

Swords earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with distinction in dental education from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  

Recently, Swords completed the LSU Orofacial Pain Continuum, a 72.25 credit hour comprehensive continuing education course covering temporomandibular disorders, craniofacial pain, and sleep apnea. 

She is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Education and the Texas Academy of General Dentistry. 

“The landscape of dentistry is changing, and I recognize the challenges this presents for our future colleagues as they make the transition from student to doctor,” said Swords. “One of my greatest joys is working with our future colleagues chairside and assisting in the development of independent, confident, and competent clinicians.  

“To see the looks of comprehension and clarity among my students is both personally and professionally fulfilling. It is these ‘aha’ moments that validate my role as an educator, and why I love teaching.”