Appointments, Faculty and Staff, Pediatric Dentistry, Research

Wright Selected as Editor of the Journal of the American Dental Association

John Timothy Wright, DDS, MS, James Bawden Distinguished Professor, was selected to be the next editor in chief of the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), following a national search by the American Dental Association (ADA) for an outstanding clinician scientist, strategist and visionary with a national reputation.  

“Being editor in chief of JADA provides an incredible forum to educate health care providers as to the science and evidence that informs excellence in clinical decision making and clinical practice,” said Wright. “JADA is the most widely read dental journal in the world making this a powerful venue for providing information that is both clinically relevant and that is at the forefront of healthcare.”  

“My goal as editor in chief is to ensure that the published material is of excellent quality and based on solid science. Ultimately, the goal is to improve oral health care in the United States and beyond.” 

Wright will assume the editor role in January 2021. He succeeds Jeffrey Platt, DDS, MS, professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Comprehensive Care and Ralph W. Phillips Professor in Dental Materials at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, who has served as JADA’s interim editor since April 2020.  

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Wright’s selection as editor of the Journal of the American Dental Association,” said Associate Dean for Innovation and Discovery, Shannon Wallet, PhD.  

“Not only do Dr. Wright’s decades of research expertise and funding make him an excellent choice as editor, but his appointment illustrates the strength of our research enterprise at the Adams School of Dentistry and at Carolina as a whole.” 

Wright studied chemistry at West Virginia University (WVU), received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the WVU School of Dentistry, and a Master of Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He obtained board certification by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in 1990. 

As a faculty member at the Adams School of Dentistry, Wright has previously served as chair of the department of pediatric dentistry, interim chair of the department of endodontics, and director of strategic initiatives.  

He has also held offices of national distinction, having served as vice president and then president of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR). A three-time recipient of AADR’s prestigious Gies Award, Wright has also received the Distinguished Science Award presented by the International Association of Dental Research.  

Wright currently serves the ADA as a member of the ADA’s Dental Quality Alliance; he previously served as chair of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and has more than 25 years of NIH grant funding. He frequently speaks at national and international meetings. 

Introduced in 1913, the JADA is a peer-reviewed journal presenting original research reports, systematic reviews, and evidence-based guidelines in clinical dentistry. Published monthly by the American Dental Association, JADA serves as an indispensable resource and guide to dentists in the US and around the world.