Appointment of Professor Laura Tam as Interim Dean, Faculty of Dentistry (PDAD&C #44)

From: Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President and Provost
Date: June 1, 2022
Re: Appointment of Professor Laura Tam as Interim Dean, Faculty of Dentistry (PDAD&C #44)

I am delighted to announce that the Agenda Committee of Academic Board has approved the appointment of Professor Laura Tam as Interim Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, for a one-year term from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, or until a new Dean is appointed. As indicated in PDAD&C #70 (2020-21), Professor Daniel Haas will complete his second term as Dean on June 30, 2022. The search process for the next Dean remains underway, and this interim appointment will provide the Advisory Committee with the time needed to continue its work.

Professor Laura Tam currently serves as the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education, at the Faculty of Dentistry. She has served as the Director of the Comprehensive Care Program at the Faculty and the Course Coordinator for the Third Year Comprehensive Care Program and Third Year Restorative Dentistry Course.

As a professor of restorative dentistry, Professor Tam has conducted clinical and laboratory research on a variety of topics in dental materials published in journals such as Operative Dentistry and the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. Her research in restorative dentistry explores vital tooth bleaching and dental restorative materials.

In 2015, Professor Tam received the W.W. Wood Award for Excellence in Dental Education from the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry for the University of Toronto.

Please join me in thanking Professor Tam for taking on this interim role at the Faculty of Dentistry.