STONY BROOK, N.Y., December 9, 2008 – Ray C. Williams, DMD, an internationally known researcher and educator in dental medicine, has been named dean of the Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine. Appointed by Stony Brook University President, Shirley Strum Kenny, Dr. Williams joins the University on February 1, 2009, and will oversee the educational, clinical and research components of the School.
Dr. Ray Williams
As dean, Dr. Williams will head a diverse School that includes specialists and specialty training in areas such as General Dentistry, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry Oral Biology and Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics and Implantology. Established in 1973, the School also serves patients through its Dental Care Center. The primary educational mission of the School is to graduate caring and skilled dentists and dental specialists who provide state-of-the-art compassionate, patient-centered care in a professional manner and in all cultural contexts.
"The School of Dental Medicine is of key importance to our academic and research programs as well as our mission of excellent health care for Long Island, and we are delighted that Dr. Williams will become its next dean,” said President Kenny. “His eminence in his field is outstanding, and Dr. Williams' appointment assures a great future for the School."
Dr. Williams comes to Stony Brook from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry at Chapel Hill, where he is Straumann Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Periodontology. He is also a member of UNC’s Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases.
“I am honored to have this opportunity to be the dean of the School of Dental Medicine. Stony Brook’s School of Dental Medicine is uniquely positioned to be a global leader in dentistry and I look forward to working with the faculty, students and staff along with the alumni and the community to assure that this very special school realizes its fullest potential,” Williams said.
An expert in periodontal disease, Dr. Williams’ research interests include clinical and translational research in pharmacological modification of the host response to treat periodontal disease, the risk for periodontitis, periodontitis as a risk for systemic disease, and wound healing around teeth and dental implants. As an educator, he has trained more than 120 individuals in the specialty of Periodontics who have gone on to positions in private practice, academia, and industry.
This year Dr. Williams received the University of North Carolina’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Post-Baccalaureate Instruction and Mentoring. He also received the 2008 American Academy of Periodontology’s Gold Medal Award.
A graduate of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Dr. Williams also received a Certificate in Periodontology & Oral Medicine from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Prior to his appointment at the University of North Carolina, he was Head of the Department of Periodontology at Harvard. He is a member of the American and International Associations of Dental Research, the American Dental Education Association, the American Dental Association, the American and International College of Dentists and the American Academy of Periodontology where he serves on the Continuing Education Oversight Committee and the Tarrson Fellowship Committee. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Periodontology.
Dr. Williams has authored more than 130 papers on periodontal disease and related dental issues. He sits on the editorial boards of the Journal of Periodontology, The Compendium of Continuing Dental Education, the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, the Chinese Journal of Dental Research and the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry.
Dr. Williams and his wife, Joan Lash, plan to settle in the Three Village community. They have one son, Lee.
