10
New Mexico Dental Journal, Summer 2015
UNM Dental Faculty:
The Next Generation
After completion of her UNM AEGD
training in June, 2010, Dr. Melissa Ivers
was hired as Assistant Professor and
Faculty Practice Director. She currently
serves multiple roles within UNM’s
committees and advisory groups. Dr.
Ivers has become a fixture in UNMH
operating rooms as a leading dental
surgeon. Her endeavors continue to
serve UNM and Dental Medicine’s
educational, clinical, and patient care
missions to further resident education
and community health.
In November, 2012, Dr. Jason Flores was
hired. Dr. Flores completed a Dental
Anesthesiology residency and now serves
as UNMMG ASC Clinic Director and
Director of Dental Anesthesiology.
Currently an Assistant Professor for
the AEGD, he also contributes as a
committee member for the NM Board
of Anesthesia. He furthers UNM and
Dental Medicine’s educational, clinical,
and patient care missions by providing
dental anesthesia, teaching anesthesia
principles, emergency management, and
introducing anesthesia techniques to the
dental residents and hygiene students, as
well as, various CE and guest lectures.
The latest edition to the UNM Dental
Faculty is Dr. Erik Watson hired in July,
2014. After attending Howard Univer-
sity, he completed a one year AEGD
residency. Dr. Watson has served as
the former director of Hidalgo Medical
Ser v ices and Communit y Dent a l
Clinic. He currently holds the posi-
tion of Assistant Professor and furthers
UNM missions by serving as general
dental faculty and instructor for AEGD
residents.
The Future of Dental
Education at UNM
The mission of the Department of
Dental Medicine is to provide educa-
tion and clinical programs to train
dental health professionals in dental
education, clinical services, community
health, and research to improve oral
health in New Mexico. This is accom-
plished by maintaining a top educational
environment and treating underserved
populations, dental phobics, devel-
opmentally disabled, and medically
compromised patients. Plans for future
endeavors include adding a second year
to the AEGD residency with a focus on
increasing proficiency and experiences
for a Chief Resident in dental surgery
and anesthesia. Long term program
goals would include the addition of
dental specialties. Whatever the future
objectives, the Department of Dental
Medicine will maintain its emphasis on
reinforcing its commitment to improve
oral health and advance oral medicine
in New Mexico.
A Proud Tradition of Dental Education in New Mexico,
continued
Sincere thanks
to other dental faculty that have strengthened dental educational efforts at UNM.
Former full-time faculty: Drs. James Stroschein, Albert Brettner, Ken Padilla,
Jeff Humberson, Frank Peacock, Kim Espinoza, Melissa Ravago, Alicia (Carey) Grady.
Part-time and community volunteer clinicians and lecturers: Drs. Michael Brown,
Mark Yarbrough, Robert Urquhart, David Williams, Paul Balderamos, Robert Supple,
Jim Cole, Matt Fisher, Joe Matthews, Steve Wagner, Ray Lyons, Robert Lash, Dave
Hadley, Marc Pacheco, Dan Traub, David Collette, Eric Tuggle, Ketty Chiu, David
Jones, Chuck Schlessinger, Steve Hartman MD, Christy Cogil CFNP, DNP, Mary
Altenberg.
Special thanks
also to Jerry Harrison, PhD. Executive Director at New Mexico Health Resources
and all others that this article may have failed to address.
Thank
You!
