Biography

Bridgette H. Rhodes, D.D.S. is a clinical assistant professor in the Division of General Dentistry, Department of Comprehensive Care, at Howard University College of Dentistry. A graduate of Howard University College of Dentistry, she is committed to advancing dental education through innovation, research, mentorship, service, and global engagement. Since joining the faculty, Rhodes has dedicated her career to preparing future dentists for clinical excellence while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and educational innovation.

Rhodes currently serves as chair of the Howard University College of Dentistry's Vision and Innovation Committee, where she leads initiatives that promote innovation in dental education, research, and global partnerships. She is currently developing an international research collaboration with JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) in Mysuru, India, focused on oral cancer prevention and preventive oral healthcare. The proposed collaboration includes the development of a chemopreventive oral rinse designed to reduce the burden of oral cancer and a plaque-removal chewing gum to promote oral health and support cavity prevention.

A passionate advocate for global oral health, Rhodes has established international academic partnerships spanning Africa and Asia through oral cancer prevention, education, and collaborative research. In 2018, she led a select group of Howard University dental students to Northern Sudan, where they collaborated with Elrazi University to screen approximately 500 patients for oral cancer. During the initiative, Rhodes and her team were honored by Sudan's Ministry of Health in recognition of their contributions to oral cancer prevention and public health. She also received a dedication from Ibn Sina University for her contributions to oral health education and international collaboration, and the delegation was hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Sudan.

Building upon that success, Rhodes led a second international oral cancer prevention initiative in 2025 in collaboration with JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) and JSS Hospital through the #ChewFreeFuture – Stop Before You Start campaign. The initiative educated students and communities about the dangers of smokeless tobacco while promoting prevention, early detection, and global collaboration in oral health.

Rhodes is the creator of Rhodesmap: A Guide to Dental Materials, an educational mobile application available for Android and iPhone platforms that provides students and practitioners with an evidence-based resource for dental materials education.

In 2025, Rhodes also served as chair of the Howard University College of Dentistry's Morale and Environment Committee, where she launched the College's first Appreciation Month, a month-long initiative recognizing faculty, staff, students, patients, and members of the College community. The celebration concluded with a student appreciation event featuring remarks by Howard University's Provost and included the distribution of more than 500 appreciation gift bags.

Rhodes' international oral health initiatives in Sudan and India were featured in the April 2026 edition of the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center publication. She is also a co-author of peer-reviewed publications and has been repeatedly nominated by Howard University College of Dentistry students for Female Faculty of the Year.

Through her teaching, research, leadership, and international collaborations, Rhodes is committed to empowering future dental professionals while advancing innovative approaches to oral disease prevention and improving oral health in communities locally and around the world.