Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences

Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences

About

The Department of Developmental & Surgical Sciences utilizes a multidisciplinary approach with an emphasis on prevention, public health, dental care delivery systems and public policy. Direct patient care in the department includes the evaluation and management of diseases or conditions of the oral and maxillofacial regions, tooth supporting tissues, malocclusion and child patient, cleft palate and craniofacial disorders.

Mission

The Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences supports the mission of the School of Dentistry. The department advances oral and general health through programs in orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry and periodontics, a cleft palate/craniofacial clinic and a program providing oral health services for older adults. Our scholarship is primarily basic, translational and clinical research which supports the evidence-based practice of the future. As a specialty-based department we provide foundational education and clinical training for pre- and post-doctoral students and promote an appreciation for lifelong learning. We strive to accomplish this within the context of interprofessional collaborative care for patients of all ages, pediatric to older adults, with a broad and diverse range of oral and craniofacial disorders, including those with special needs and complex medical conditions. 

Faculty

Our faculty are experts in the areas of disease care and prevention. Get to know our experts.

Brent Larson

Brent Larson

Interim Chair, Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences
[email protected]
 

Kearstin Bisnett
Department Administrator
[email protected]

Divisions

The Department of Developmental & Surgical Sciences is home to five divisions.

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Hospital and Special Care Dentistry

The Division of Hospital and Special Care Dentistry cares for patients with conditions that may limit their ability to receive routine dental care in traditional ways.

Cindy Vang
[email protected]
Program Coordinator

Faculty

Stephen Shuman, DDS, MS, FGSA
Professor

Mark Roettger, DDS
Clinical Associate Director 

Mary Owen, DDS, MS
Clinical Professor

Tara Brodersen, DDS
Clinical Assistant Professor

Pediatric Dentistry

The Division of Pediatric Dentistry provides oral health care for children from birth to age 15.

Chandralekha Tejpaul
[email protected]
Division Administrator

Faculty

Soraya Beiraghi, DDS, MSD, MS, MSD
Professor

Teresa Fong, DDS
Clinical Associate Professor

Robert Jones, DDS, PhD
Professor

Jeffrey Karp, DMD, MS
Clinical Associate Professor

Advanced Education

The Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry strives to improve pediatric health care and advance the specialty through the education of pediatric dentists.

Periodontology

The Division of Periodontology focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth, including gum disease.

Meaghan Moloney
[email protected]
Division Administrator

Tiffany Ravelomanantsoa
[email protected]
Clinical Administrative Support

Faculty

Elham Akhlaghi, DDS
Clinical Professor

Judy Danielson, MDH
Clinical Professor

Daniel Skaar, DDS, MS, MBA
Associate Professor

Richard Wittenberg, DDS
Clinical Assistant Professor

Larry Wolff, MS, PhD, DDS
Professor

Advanced Education

The Advanced Education Program in Periodontics enables graduates to pursue careers in clinical practice, teaching or research.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery provides expertise and treatment for oral and facial diseases and abnormalities. 

Haley Busch
[email protected]
Division Administrator

Faculty

Robert Nadeau, DDS, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor

James Swift, DDS
Professor

Rachel Uppgaard, DDS
Clinical Associate Professor

Advanced Education

The Advanced Training Program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery trains individuals within an ethical and service-based framework to be competent in all phases of the specialty.

Orthodontics

The Division of Orthodontics encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of problems with the position, alignment or spacing of the teeth and related irregularities in the face and jaw. 

Faculty

Petra Bachour, DMD, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor 

John Beyer, DDS, PhD
Clinical Professor

Thorsten Gruenheid, DDS, PhD, MHA
Associate Professor 

Brent Larson, DDS, MS
Professor

Kim Mansky, PhD 
Professor

Amy Tasca, DDS, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor

Advanced Education

The Graduate Program in Orthodontics teaches residents an in-depth knowledge of craniofacial growth and development, biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical and clinical sciences.