Six professors were named Faculty of the Year by DDS classes, and one by the graduating Dental Hygiene class, in 2023. 

Each year, first- and second-year learners select a pre-clinical and a didactic faculty member, and third- and fourth year learners select one clinical instructor to recognize for their excellence in teaching, mentorship and dedication to students. Graduating Dental Hygiene learners select one faculty member.

The Class of 2026 selected Gary Hildebrandt, DDS, MS, director of the Division of Operative Dentistry, and Kristine Krafts, MD, assistant professor of pathology. The Class of 2025 selected Richard Madden, DDS, MS, clinical associate professor and director of the pre-clinical program, and Rachel Uppgaard, DDS, clinical associate professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The Class of 2024 honored Augusto Saldarriaga, DDS, MS, FACP, clinical associate professor of prosthodontics, and the graduating Class of 2023 chose Ernest Martin, DDS, adjunct clinical professor. The Dental Hygiene Class of 2023 chose Michelle Arnett, RDH, MS,  assistant professor.

We asked each faculty member what the honor meant to them. 

DDS

Class of 2026

Gary Hildebrandt, DDS, MS

What does it mean to you to be selected faculty of the year?

The recognition means a great deal to me. It was completely unexpected. I entered the 4th floor simulation clinic to get the students set up for their final exam on Examsoft.  The class president was at the instructor's station with the portable mic. He had the class gather around and he presented me with the award in front of the class. I was very honored by their acknowledgement.  

What would you want to say to the class who selected you?

I would like to thank the class for the award and the recognition I am not sure if they know how much this means. Recognition like this from students helps motivate us as teachers to do our best and increases our enjoyment of our careers. I will not forget their kindness.

What's your favorite thing about teaching?

I know how hard it is to be a student in dental school. I was there once. My experience as a student motivated me to want to teach because I felt that teaching could be done in such a way that it made the student's experience better and more enjoyable, and as a consequence would improve the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Kristine Krafts, MD

What does it mean to you to be selected faculty of the year?

This award means more to me than any other type of award or accolade, because it comes directly from the students themselves. Teaching involves a set of skills that one learns over time. You talk to colleagues about their methods, sit in on lectures, have peers review your lectures, attend seminars, read the literature, and so on - but the most immediate and relevant way to improve one's teaching is to ask for feedback from the people you are teaching. Being chosen faculty of the year tells me that the people whose opinion matters most - the students - think that I am doing a good job, and nothing could make me happier than that. 

What would you want to say to the class who selected you?

First, I'd like to thank them for giving me this incredible award. I don't know if they really realize how meaningful it is; it's not just something to list on one's CV - it's something that is so affirming and encouraging that you can't help but tear up a little (or a lot). Second, I'd like to tell them that teaching isn't something you do in a vacuum - it involves interacting with the class, even when it's a straight-up didactic lecture in a big lecture hall. If the class is not engaged or interested, that makes for a less-than-optimal experience. And I'd like them to know that they have been such a joy to have in class every day - they ask really interesting questions, they give me real-time feedback by nodding or looking puzzled, they laugh at my dumb jokes, and they're kind, compassionate people. It's been a pleasure having them in class, and I am confident that they will make great dentists.

What's your favorite thing about teaching?

The students! I love seeing their smiling faces and getting the chance to talk with them outside of class. I also really enjoy organizing and simplifying difficult topics so that the students can learn the material more quickly and easily. We ask a lot of them - there's so much information delivered in such a short period of time - so anything I can do to make their lives a little easier is really satisfying. Every time I come to class I think how lucky I am to be able to spend time with these incredibly smart, energetic, dedicated, and kind people. 

Class of 2025

Richard Madden, DDS, MS

What does it mean to you to be selected faculty of the year?

I really appreciate the award. I'm part of a large team of students, staff, and faculty. We work together and this award lets me know that we're communicating and on the right track.

What would you want to say to the class who selected you?

To be acknowledged by the Class of 2025 is a great honor. I'm glad that we work well together and have common goals. Just a few courses left, let’s finish strong!

What's your favorite thing about teaching?

I love working with the students in the preclinic while they apply new knowledge and get ready for patient care. Watching the students as their skills grow and they become proficient is the fun part!

Rachel Uppgaard, DDS

What does it mean to you to be selected faculty of the year?

It is an incredible honor, and one that should be shared with the rest of my team who makes teaching possible. There are so many people who contribute to each class, from the administrative specialists to residents to students to the other faculty members. We all learn from each other every day, and I am grateful for the team that makes it happen.  

What would you want to say to the class who selected you?

Thank you, not only for this honor, but for showing up and embracing learning so enthusiastically. Watching you grow as providers, from learning what local anesthesia is, to putting together a syringe, to performing injections on manikins, and ultimately on humans is an intense journey. Thank you for letting me be part of your journey, and giving us all the opportunity to see dentistry through your eyes. Your enthusiasm for learning and hope for the future is an extraordinary gift that you give back to all of us.  

What's your favorite thing about teaching?

It's cliche, but I love watching the process of learning. I get to be there for the lectures, the early questions, and to do more hand-holding in the early stages of education on local anesthesia.  Then we see the students in clinic, where we push them to think and grow in such a short period of time in their oral surgery rotations. By the last week of dental school, we get some of the fourth year students back, and they can function on their own with minimal intervention. Witnessing that steep growth curve succeed and observing our students grow into the empathetic, enthusiastic providers they become is the best part of teaching. 

Class of 2024

Augusto Saldarriaga, DDS, MS, FACP

What does it mean to you to be selected faculty of the year?

It means that our effort is appreciated, I am very honored to have been selected faculty of the year by the class of 2024. This award recognizes all the effort placed by the Prosthodontic Division and support staff.

What would you want to say to the class who selected you?

Thank you so much for the recognition. It has been a lot of fun working together these past few months and I am looking forward to the next year. I am very impressed by all of you; I appreciate the willingness to learn, the good care for patients while delivering high quality dentistry. 

What's your favorite thing about teaching?

I really enjoy getting to know my students. I try to be supportive, helpful and as available as possible. I want them to know that we are going through this together and they can count on me. Their success is my success.

Class of 2023

Ernest Martin, DDS

What does it mean to you to be selected faculty of the year?

It truly is something that is so meaningful to me. I hope it is an indication that the students understand how much I want to help them grow into not only skilled, but caring and kind, practitioners.

What would you want to say to the class who selected you?

Well first, congratulations on getting to the finish line—it’s a long and difficult journey to get to this point, but you have done it—bravo. But, as you head out into the world as professionals and representatives of the profession, do not forget that the patient comes first. Dentistry is about health and function; our patients seek our help to live good lives—and it is our responsibility to help them achieve that, no matter what the treatment plan looks like.

What's your favorite thing about teaching?

That’s an easy question to answer—the students. I love getting to know who they are as people outside of the clinic, what makes them who they are. Then walking alongside them as they learn, grow, and thrive in their chosen profession. What I like least about teaching is seeing them go; it is a proud moment to see what is next for them and watch them spread their wings, but I always miss them. 

Dental Hygiene

Class of 2023

Michelle Arnett, RDH, MS

“I am humbled by the Class of 2023. It is an honor to share knowledge and develop lifelong learners. I am grateful to be one among many individuals who had a role in shaping this group of oral healthcare leaders.”