Thorsten Gruenheid named Assistant Dean for Advanced Education

Thorsten Gruenheid, DDS, Dr med dent, PhD, MHA, associate professor in the Division of Orthodontics, becomes Assistant Dean for Advanced Education effective Monday, September 25. 

Gruenheid assumes the position as Brent Larson, DDS, MS, steps down from the role.

Gruenheid received his training at the Universities of Mainz, Amsterdam and Minnesota. He is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, and has lectured nationally and internationally on a variety of topics in orthodontics and oral biology. He provides orthodontic treatment, primarily to underserved child and adolescent populations at the University of Minnesota Orthodontic Faculty Practice. Gruenheid has served as the director of the Orthodontic Faculty Practice since 2012.

Larson is a professor and director of the Division of Orthodontics, as well as interim chair of the Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences. He is a past president of the Minnesota Association of Orthodontists and the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists. He joined the University of Minnesota in 2004, after serving as an orthodontist in the US Air Force and as staff and faculty at Mayo Clinic. Larson has written many scientific articles, contributed book chapters and given many lectures in the United States and abroad, and received a Distinguished Dental Alumnus Award from the School of Dentistry. 

“Dr. Larson has ably and effectively fulfilled the responsibilities of the role, and I am grateful to him for his dedication and impact,” said Karl Self, DDS, MBA, Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in an email communication to the school announcing the change. “I welcome Dr. Gruenheid as he assumes this position, and I look forward to supporting his leadership.”