Master of Science (M.S.)

Prosthodontics
Georgetown University School of Dentistry
1989

Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.)

Dental Surgery
Howard University
1982

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Zoology
Howard University
1980

Dentistry

Fellow, Pierre Fauchard Academy 2025

Fellow, International College of Dentists 2019

Fellow, American College of Dentists 2010

Fellow, American College of Prosthodontics, 1993

Systemic Conditions and Associations with Dental Prostheses

Systemic Conditions and Associations with Dental Prostheses

The incidence of debilitating conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and risk factors such as the use of tobacco products continues to climb. The impact and detrimental role of these systemic conditions present a challenge in the maintenance of oral health after loss of teeth. Long-lasting systemic diseases may persist and worsen over time, and can result in deterioration of oral function, and poor outcomes for those patients who wear full and partial dentures. The need for prosthetic devices will continue to increase as the average life expectancy age increases. There is a great need to improve access and frequency of prosthetic dental visits. Incorporating routine oral health assessments and regular denture maintenance visits may improve overall health and successful patient outcomes.

The Science and Art of Dentistry

The Science and Art of Dentistry: Historical Milestones, Untold Stories, and Hidden Legacies

All too often, history, particularly science, has been whitewashed. The book, The Science and Art of Dentistry: Historical Milestones, Untold Stories, and Hidden Legacies pulls the veil of ignorance and reveals the diverse origins of dentistry. In so doing, they demonstrate that there was not one path, but multiple paths across multiple continents involving multiple peoples that must be considered.

Workforce Representation and Service in Shortage Areas

Workforce Representation and Service in Shortage Areas: Outcomes of a HBCU College of Dentistry, Class 2004-2023

This study examines Howard University College of Dentistry's (HUCD) contributions to dental education, focusing on its role in strengthening workforce representation, expanding access to care in dental health professional shortage areas (DHPSAs) and medically underserved areas (MUAs), and addressing persistent oral health disparities.

Dentistry at 140 years: Mission, Legacy, and Promise

Dentistry at 140 years: Mission, Legacy, and Promise

Founded in 1881, Howard University College of Dentistry (HUCD) was one of the first United States dental schools to admit women equally as men. Now, HUCD celebrates one-hundred-and-forty years of educating minority dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists who practice in fifty states in America and fifty-three foreign countries. Howard University College of Dentistry 140 Years: Mission, Legacy, and Promise is an inspiring and informative look into the history of Howard University’s dental school and its mission to educate minority dental professionals who offer their skills to marginalized groups across the United States. It highlights how bleak the provision of black dental care was in the United States after the Civil War and how the HUCD has risen to meet a myriad of challenges for over a century. After two years of meetings, research, retrieval of archival materials, review of oral histories, and delving deep into the heart and soul of the dental school, three authors with close ties to HUCD share the college’s story with pride. The College of Dentistry’s mission, legacy, and promise still continue—Howard Forward!

A review of the risks and relationships between oral health and chronic diseases

A review of the risks and relationships between oral health and chronic diseases

Advances in medical science and in preventive dentistry have changed the context of oral health. The American population is living longer with numerous complex chronic diseases. This paper is to raise awareness about the impact of multiple chronic diseases and their associations with oral diseases. Comorbidities can worsen the course of dental treatment. Inflammation has been the connecting factor in the bidirectional pattern of oral and systemic diseases. High occurrences of chronic diseases generally occur in aging as well as disadvantaged populations. Serious infections, slow healing, prolonged bleeding, and hospitalizations can escalate in patients with uncontrolled chronic diseases. A multidisciplinary team-based approach to patient management can minimize complications and unexpected challenges.

Undaunted Trailblazers

Undaunted Trailblazers: Minority Women Leaders for Oral Health (Contributing author)

Undaunted Trailblazers: Minority Women Leaders for Oral Health, is a compelling read for men and women and a useful leadership training resource to be shared with educators, mentors, human resources personnel and healthcare executives among others. Packed with authenticity and realism, this book relates, in their own voices, the untold stories and experiences of thirty-one contemporary minority women leaders who have succeeded in a male-dominated profession and advanced oral health for the well-being of generations.

Approaches to Broaden Messaging about the Harms Tobacco Use

Approaches to Broaden Messaging about the Harms Tobacco Use

Dentist and other health professionals can have great influence to prevent and decrease the use tobacco products, through patient visits, direct messaging and social media. A brief part of the dental and medical visit can be used for providing current, state-of-the-art research and information on the harms of e-cigarette and cigarette use and the use of smokeless tobacco products. Many studies have shown that various tobacco products contain toxicants, constituents and harmful chemicals. Variations of different combinations of tobacco-related toxicants pass through the oral mucosal tissues, enter body fluids and systems causing severe health effects. During the assessment of findings and sharing of visual materials segment of the visit, the health professional can present the information so that the patient can better understand the physiological changes that may occur systemically, and the morbidity and mortality that may be associated with long-term tobacco use. Evidence-based research on the adverse health effects of tobacco use can be shared solely with the patient, and broadly through social media.

The Efficacy of Medical Consultation in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Acta Scientific Dental Sciences

The Efficacy of Medical Consultation in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Acta Scientific Dental Sciences

Sickle Cell Disease is a complex genetic disorder resulting from the presence of a mutated form of hemo-globin. Morbidity, frequency of crisis, degree of anemia, and organ systems involved vary considerably per patient. Dental health professionals and other specialists commonly request comprehensive medical consultations prior to performing complex periodontal, endodontic, and surgical procedures. It is of great benefit to have a very detailed medical consultation and history of treatment in order to have successful dental outcomes and minimize post-treatment dental complications. This review is to raise awareness about the impact of oral diseases in patients with sickle cell disease and to emphasize the importance of full medical disclosure and a well-documented medical status report which can guide treatment planning and greatly improve the course of dental treatment.

The contrasting short-term effects of COVID-19 on dental care practices in the United States

The contrasting short-term effects of COVID-19 on dental care practices in the United States

The study utilized a cross-sectional survey to determine the short-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental care practices. The authors hypothesized that the effects of the pandemic would indicate differences based on the ethnicity of the participating dentist.

Oral Mucosal Membrane Exposure and Adverse Health Risks Secondary to the Use of Smokeless Tobacco

Oral Mucosal Membrane Exposure and Adverse Health Risks Secondary to the Use of Smokeless Tobacco

Substantial impact of various smokeless tobacco toxicants, constituents, and chemicals as they pass through the oral mucosal tissues, enter body fluids and systems causing adverse health effects. Greater emphasis should be placed on the early cellular, molecular, physiological, and morphological changes that occur secondary to the harmful chemicals and toxicants in smokeless tobacco, which play a role in the carcinogenesis process. Smokeless tobacco constituents may cause destruction and/or irritation of the oral mucosal tissues resulting in severe tissue damage, carcinogenesis and serious systemic effects.

Perceived musculoskeletal symptoms among dental students in the clinic work environment

Perceived musculoskeletal symptoms among dental students in the clinic work environment

This study investigates the clinical tasks that place students at physical risk and the relationship between the tasks and musculoskeletal symptoms.