The American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH) has named Christopher Okunseri, BDS, MSc, professor and director of the predoctoral program for dental public health at the Marquette University School of Dentistry, its latest president.
“We are proud of the work Dr. Okunseri has done in the field of public health dentistry. He has served the ABDPH well during his time on the board of directors, and the organization will be in good hands under his leadership,” said William Lobb, DDS, dean of the School of Dentistry.
“His dedication to promoting good dental health and providing access to dental care is a great example for our students at Marquette School of Dentistry,” said Lobb.
Okunseri began his term at the annual meeting of diplomates in May and will serve for one year in this role. He previously served as vice president, secretary-treasurer, and director after being chosen as ABDPH’s director-elect in 2015.
Okunseri’s current research interests include the epidemiology of oral conditions, quality of care, behavioral science, health services research, preventive care services, and oral health policy with an emphasis on the underserved and racial and ethnic minority populations.
The ADA House of Delegates first designated the ABDPH as its national examining and certifying board for the specialty of dental public health in 1951. The ABDPH was founded to create standards for the practice of dental public health and serve as the granting body of certificates in the field.
Founded in 1937, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry has provided a focus for meeting the challenge to improve oral health, according to the organization. As the sponsoring organization for the ABDPH, it said its mission is to provide leadership in ensuring optimal oral health for individuals and communities.
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