Clark named director of digital dental education
Wendy A. Clark, DDS, MS, has been named the director of digital dental education at Adams School of Dentistry. Clark is an associate professor in prosthodontics and was honored with a University Teaching Award for her work teaching prosthodontics.
Clark hopes to make technology more accessible for all students.
Clark’s new role will allow ASOD to better embrace the rapidly changing landscape of digital dentistry and allow learners and faculty to experience more advances in the field. With students, faculty and staff moving to the cutting edge of technology, it will better position our school to serve patients.
“I hope I can help our school lead dentistry into the future by getting technology into the hands of all of our faculty, staff and students. This will involve integrating digital tools into all four years of our curriculum, collaborating across disciplines, and creating innovative partnerships and solutions,” Clark said.
As a prosthodontist, Clark is familiar with changing technology in the restorative dentistry space and has worked to stay up to date on the latest advances in digital dentistry, using 3D scanning, digital impressions and computer-aided design (CAD) systems.
“Dr. Wendy Clark is a perfect fit for the new position,” said Ann Alexander, MEd, the director of educational compliance and innovation. “She is innovative and collaborative with a natural curiosity leading to the best and most effective ways to implement new/updated technologies. The ASOD program is going to benefit from Dr. Clark’s forward thinking and expertise in digital dental technology.”
Dean Janet Guthmiller, DDS, PhD, said Clark’s experience working closely with students gives her a unique perspective on how students think and receive information.
“Wendy has a wonderful rapport with our students. She is a born collaborator, and I can’t think of anyone better suited for this position. I’m excited to see her vision for digital dentistry take shape here at our dental school.”
“I hope to make technology more approachable for all students – even those with a limited technology background – so they can learn to integrate digital workflows into comprehensive patient care,” Clark said.
Clark has a lot to look forward to in her new role, but she’s most excited about the possibilities that abound with new technology.
“I’m most excited to collaborate with colleagues and students to transform how we teach and practice. We are in a unique position at ASOD, as we are strong in research, service and patient care. If we get the right technology in front of the right people, the possibilities to improve patient care and access to care are limitless,” she said.
