Division of Oral Medicine and Oral and Maxillofacial Imaging receives new name, departmental home

An organizational adjustment will enhance effectiveness in the clinical space at the School of Dentistry.

Effective Tuesday, July 1, the division formerly known as the Division of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology will be renamed the Division of Oral Medicine and Oral and Maxillofacial Imaging. In addition, the division will be housed under the Department of Primary Dental Care.

This move, recommended by Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, is intended to “leverage clinical synergy within the School of Dentistry,” Mays shared in an email to the school. “This decision was the culmination of conversations with faculty about operational needs for the school.”

Oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial imaging is integral to the delivery of primary dental care. Changing the departmental home will allow for greater operational efficiency and delivery of care.

The division will be led by Mansur Ahmad, PhD. Ahmad is an associate professor of oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial imaging. He pursued his PhD in Oral Biology at the University of Connecticut Health Center, where he also completed his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. He joined the School of Dentistry in 1999 and focuses his research efforts on temporomandibular disorders, CBCT imaging and tissue engineering. Ahmad was selected by faculty to lead the division.

Ahmad takes over for Nelson Rhodus, DMD, MPH, professor and former director of the Division of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology.

“I am very thankful for all the work and efforts of Dr. Nelson Rhodus, who has led the division for many years,” Mays shared. “I look forward to the great work of this division in its new departmental home.”