Martha Baez, R.D.H., M.P.H
Assistant Professor of Community Dentistry

Baez is the new president of the national Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) for 2004. The mission of the HDA is to optimize the oral health of the Hispanic community. "Hispanics have become the largest minority in the United States, exceeding 38 million," Baez said. "The U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health indicates that, unfortunately, minority groups suffer disproportionately from disease, and certainly, many Hispanics fall into this category. I am truly proud to lead the HDA," she said.

James Mellonig, D.D.S., M.S.
Professor of Periodontics and Director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontics

Dr. Mellonig received the Outstanding Educator Award from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). This is the first time the AAP has presented this national award. The AAP has 7,800 members who are dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.

Lily T. Garcia, D.D.S., M.S.
Chair of the Department of Prosthodontics
&
Richard Seals Jr., D.D.S.
Associate Professor of Prosthodontics

Drs. Garcia and Seals have been elected to leadership positions in the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) for 2004. Dr. Garcia was voted secretary of the board and Dr. Seals was elected speaker of the house of delegates. The ACP, a non-profit educational and scientific organization, was founded in 1970 and is the recognized organization for the specialty of prosthodontics. The national organization has more than 2,700 members in North America and around the world.