Perdigão named Interim Chair of the Department of Restorative Sciences

Jorge Perdigão, DMD, MS, PhD, has been named Interim Chair of the Department of Restorative Sciences, effective July 20.

Perdigão received his DMD from Universal of Lisbon, Portugal, School of Dental Medicine in 1985, his Master of Science and and Certificate in Operative Dentistry from the University of Iowa in 1993, and a PhD in Dental Materials at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, in 1995.

Perdigão joined the University of Minnesota in 1999 after serving as an instructor, assistant professor and associate professor at the University of Lisbon, University of Coimbra, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He spent nine years as an associate professor before becoming a full professor of operative dentistry in 2008.

Perdigão is an accomplished researcher, with more than 200 published peer-reviewed articles. He researches new dentin adhesives, composite resins and dental whitening. He has delivered more than 280 lectures throughout the world and has authored several chapters on dental adhesion. He is the editor and author of the books Restoration of Root Canal-Treated Teeth: An Adhesive Dentistry Perspective and Tooth Whitening: An Evidence-Based Perspective. His work has earned him several research awards, including the 1993 Microscopy Society of America Presidential Award, the 2017 IADR Dental Materials Group Peyton-Skinner Award for Innovation and the 2021 Honorary Membership of the International Academy of Adhesive Dentistry.

Perdigão has consulted for manufacturers worldwide in the development of new adhesive dental materials, as well as for the ADA Committee for Scientific Affairs and the FDA Dermatologic & Ophthalmic Advisory Committee. His teaching focuses on clinical operative dentistry, dental materials, lectures to graduate programs and mentorship on complex esthetic cases.

Perdigão is committed to teaching and clinical practice. In 2015, he received the Century Club Professor of the Year Award, in honor of his excellence in research, education and service.

“I am confident that with his leadership in these areas, alongside his commitment to the school’s mission, Dr. Perdigão will excel in this role,” shared Interim Dean Kristin Artinger, PhD, in an announcement to the school community.

Perdigão takes over the role from Heather Conrad,  DMD, MS, FACP, FRCD(C), who stepped down from the role in July.