Announcement: Dr. Carlos Quiñonez appointed Vice Dean and Director, Schulich Dentistry
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Carlos Quiñonez, DMD, MSc, PhD, FRCD(C), has been appointed to the position of Vice Dean and Director, Dentistry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, effective June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2027.
Dr. Quiñonez earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine in 1998 from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Manitoba, where he also completed an internship in community dentistry. In 2004, he completed his Master of Science in Community Health Sciences under the supervision of John O’Neil, BA, MA, PhD, FACHS, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba. His focus was on the political economy of dentistry in Nunavut. In 2009, he completed his PhD, with dental specialty training (Dental Public Health) at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto under the supervision of David Locker, BDS, PhD, DSc, FCAHS. His area of research was on the political economy of dentistry in Canada. That same year, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.
Dr. Quiñonez began his career in Toronto when he was appointed as an Assistant Professor (tenure track) at the Faculty of Dentistry and was cross-appointed at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto in 2009. That year, he was appointed the Program Director of the Specialty Training Program in Dental Public Health at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, a role he continues to hold today.
In 2014, he was promoted to Associate Professor at both the Faculty of Dentistry and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and in 2021, he was appointed as Professor in the Faculty of Dentistry. In 2013, he was appointed a Full Member of the School of Graduate Studies, a position he continues to hold today.
Dr. Quiñonez has also served as an Associate Staff at The Hospital for Sick Children and a Scientist in Oral Health at Public Health Ontario. And in 2021, he began a one-year term as an adjunct member of the Graduate Program in Health at York University.
Dr. Quiñonez’ research is focused on dental public health and features extensive work exploring the history, politics and economics of dentistry with a social equity lens. He has received significant tri-council, public and private foundation funding throughout his career. His current projects include: The oral health of Canadians: An investigation of the status and disease burden, access to care, risk determinants and associates with systemic health and well-being, supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research with a $3.3 million grant; and What are the benefits of dental care? A cohort study, funded by Green Shield Canada with a $6.1 million philanthropic research gift.
Actively involved in both undergraduate and graduate education, Dr. Quiñonez teaches courses focused on public health, preventive dentistry, health services, oral and global health. During his career he has supervised five postdoctoral fellows or visiting scientists, eight doctoral learners and 31 master’s learners.
As a leader he feels a strong commitment to service and currently serves as the Chair of the Non-Insured Health Benefits Oral Health Advisory Committee, Indigenous Services Canada and the Scientific Chair of the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry’s Annual Conference. He has previously served as a member of the Code of Ethics Working Group and the Chair of the Committee on Clinical and Scientific Affairs with the Canadian Dental Association, and the Co-Chair of the Dental Service Schedule Review Expert Panel with the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care. He has also served on countless national and international boards, panels and working groups.
Dr. Quiñonez is a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, International College of Dentists and American College of Dentists. He has received numerous awards including the most recent acknowledgements: Award of Merit, Canadian Dental Association, and Committee Service Award, Ontario Dental Association.
I want to thank the members of the Selection Committee for their work and commitment during the past seven months. Committee members include Amrit Bhogal, Noha Gomaa, Natasha Holder, Abbas Jessani, Margaret McGlynn, Paul Paolatto, Susanne Schmid, Bill Sischek, Liliani Aires Candido Vieira, Jay Walker and Tim Wilson.
On a final note, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Bertha Garcia for her leadership as Acting Vice Dean and Director during the interim period that the search has been underway. Dr. Garcia has done an outstanding job during the past three years. We have faced unprecedented challenges and change for more than two years, and Dr. Garcia has ensured our dentistry teams continued to meet our commitment to students and patients.
John Yoo, MD, FRCS(C), FACS
Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
