John Reinhardt, D.D.S., Named New Dean of UNMC College of Dentistry
John Reinhardt, D.D.S., a longtime faculty member and department chair at the University of Iowa, has been named dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. The announcement, which is subject to approval of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, was made today by Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC chancellor.
The appointment is effective March 20. Dr. Reinhardt, 50, has served on the University of Iowa dental faculty for 22 years. He was appointed assistant professor in 1980, associate professor in 1984 and professor in 1990. Since 1988, he has headed the Operative Dentistry Department. In 1997-98, he held the post of acting assistant dean for patient services.
Dr. Reinhardt is a nationally recognized department chairman who comes from one of the best dental colleges in the United States, Dr. Maurer said. We are absolutely delighted to add him to our leadership team. We couldnt be more pleased that he has accepted the position.
Dr. Reinhardt earned his bachelors degree in biology from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill., in 1971 and his dental degree from Loyola University in Chicago in 1975. He received a masters degree in operative dentistry from the University of Iowa in 1979 and a masters degree in public health from Harvard University in 1988.
Named a fellow in the American College of Dentists in 1995, Dr. Reinhardt has received multiple teaching awards from University of Iowa dental students. In 1997, he served as president of the Academy of Operative Dentistry and is one of only 34 certified members of the American Board of Operative Dentistry. He serves on the editorial board or as a reviewer on several dental journals, and he has been a contributing author for more than 40 research articles.
Dr. Reinhardt has been a leader in the dental education field and has done extensive research in the use of amalgam in repairing tooth decay, Dr. Maurer said. In addition to his broad experience in dentistry, his masters degree in public health makes him a perfect fit for the dean position. I have every confidence that Dr. Reinhardt has the know-how and experience we need to move the College of Dentistry forward and build a strong research program.
Dr. Reinhardt said he is pleased and honored to have been selected dean. “The College of Dentistry impressed me with its dedicated faculty and staff, outstanding students, and rich legacy of high quality dental education that spans for more than 100 years,” he said. “I look forward to meeting the dental practitioners of Nebraska and alumni, as well as the students of the college to learn more about the key issues theyre facing.”
Dr. Reinhardt plans to continue to do some patient treatment and teaching and hopes to contribute to the research mission of the college. “I believe all of these components are important for providing the best possible dental education and service to Nebraskans.”
The new dean hopes to build the reputation of the college to be patient-centered and student-focused. “I want to expand the high quality educational programs that already exist and increase the research and scholarly activity of the college.”
Dr. Maurer commended the search committee, which was headed by Joan Sivers, D.D.S., associate professor in the College of Dentistry, for its efforts. “The search committee brought forward some excellent candidates and I couldn’t be more pleased with my final selection,” he said.
The College of Dentistry, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, was founded on Sept. 17, 1899 as the Lincoln Dental College. It was the first dental school in Nebraska. In 1918, the dental college officially became part of the University of Nebraska. In 1979, the College of Dentistry became part of UNMC. It is located on UNLs east campus at 40th and Holdrege streets in Lincoln.
During its 100-year history, seven people have served as dean. Since 1988, the dean post has been held by Stephen Leeper, D.D.S. Dr. Leeper has announced he will step down as dean effective Feb. 29.
The UNMC College of Dentistry has 246 students, including 176 dental students, 40 dental hygiene students and 30 graduate students. It not only serves Nebraskans, who make up about 75 percent of the enrollment, but also states that have no dental schools, including Kansas, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming. The college has 61 full-time faculty members.
For the third straight year and fifth of the past six, the colleges freshman class has ranked first among the 55 U.S. dental schools for incoming grade-point average. The college offers the following programs: doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.), certificate in dental hygiene and a bachelors degree in dental hygiene; five post-graduate specialty programs (endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry and prosthodontics); and a general practice residency program.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state. Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. Nearly $31million in research grants and contracts were awarded to UNMC scientists during the past fiscal year. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.