I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as UAB School of Dentistry's Dean and look forward to working with the School's leadership, the faculty and staff to provide continuity as we move forward.

Our School has a distinguished history of graduating educators and dentists who are well qualified to practice, lead, and serve their communities. With a profound sense of responsibility, I look forward to advancing all the great things about our School, while providing our students with the best opportunities in their education.

My commitment to our shared vision is unwavering and I firmly believe that success is a product of teamwork and mutual respect. I am dedicated to nurturing an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and personal growth.

As a team, we have the opportunity to uplift and positively impact the oral health and overall health of those we serve. For our School, patient-centered care is a fundamental principle that guides everything we do, from education and research to clinical practice. Our research informs evidence-based practices and ensures that patients receive the most current and effective treatments available, and our goal is to develop exemplary dentists who can provide comprehensive, evidence-based care while considering the patient's desires, values, and cultural backgrounds. Recognizing that each patient is unique and has specific goals, values, and circumstances, we do all of this to provide excellent care at the highest level.

Of course, the commitment and dedication of our alumni and friends have made a tremendous impact on our institution. Your belief in our mission has allowed us to flourish and continue providing a world-class education to current and future generations. I cannot thank you enough for all you do and I look forward to working with you to advance our mission.

We have a strong basis upon which to build. I have complete faith in our abilities and look forward to celebrating our triumphs along the way. Together, we will continue to make a difference and create a brighter future for our students and society.

About Dean Geurs

Dr. Nico Geurs is the first holder of the Weatherford-Palcanis Endowed Professorship in Dentistry and the second holder of the Dental Alumni-Joseph F. Volker Chair of Clinical Dentistry. Prior to being named interim dean, he served as Chair of the Department of Periodontology.

Geurs received his dental degree at A.C.T.A. (Free University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) in 1992. He completed his advanced training in Periodontology and his Master’s in Clinical Dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1995. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a Fellow of the American College of Dentists. He is actively involved in the didactic and clinical teaching in periodontology and implantology. He served as director of the periodontology curriculum in the School of Dentistry for 8 years and 10 years as director of the advanced training program in periodontology at UAB. His research interests include periodontitis and systemic health, regeneration, implant site development, and dental implantology.