Biography

Aamir Sheikh, D.D.S., M.S., is an accomplished dental educator, clinician, researcher, and healthcare leader with more than two decades of experience in academic dentistry, clinical patient care, and organizational leadership. He currently serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Diagnosis & Radiology at Howard University College of Dentistry, where he has been a faculty member since 2006. In this role, Sheikh is actively involved in teaching, curriculum development, faculty mentorship, clinical training, and the advancement of hybrid dental education.

Sheikh earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 2002 and completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at Moncrief Army Hospital in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Higher Education and Administration from Drexel University, with concentrations in global and international education, computer education, and organizational leadership.

Licensed in both Maryland and Washington, DC, Sheikh has extensive experience in comprehensive general dentistry and healthcare administration.  He has practiced as a comprehensive general dentist for over two decades, providing a full spectrum of patient care while supervising staff development and clinical operations. His expertise also includes dental regulations, insurance systems, CDT coding, infection control, and healthcare management. He previously served as a Dental Expert Witness and Consultant for the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.

Prior to his academic career, Sheikh served honorably in the United States Army Dental Corps from 2002 to 2006. His military assignments included serving as Assistant Officer in Charge at Camp Casey Dental Clinic in South Korea, where he managed clinic operations and staff leadership, as well as Staff Dentist and Infection Control/OSHA Officer at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. His military service was recognized with the Army Commendation Medal.

An advocate for innovation in education, Sheikh has been a pioneer in blended and distance learning within dental education. He has directed numerous courses focused on oral cancer, infection control, clinical dentistry, reflective learning, and behavioral management using online and hybrid learning models. He has also completed advanced certifications in distance learning, Blackboard instructional technology, online teaching methodologies, and institutional assessment.

Sheikh’s scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications and presentations on oral pathology, oral cancer detection, clinical diagnosis, and dental education. He is the primary author of several published articles, including studies on nerve injury following mandibular block anesthesia, sialolithiasis management, and varicella zoster manifestations of the oral cavity. His master’s thesis examined student perceptions of online learning in dental education, reflecting his longstanding interest in educational technology and pedagogy.

Throughout his career, Sheikh has remained deeply engaged in professional service and academic governance. He has served on numerous faculty senate committees, appointment and tenure committees, infection control initiatives, and professional organizations, including the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and the American Association of Public Health Dentistry.