The UAB Department of Pediatric Dentistry recently announced the appointment of two faculty to key academic and clinical roles effective July 1, 2023. Kyounga “Cecilia” Cheon, D.M.D., M.S., was named Director of the Sidney B. Finn Pediatric Dentistry Clinic and Yu Yin Lin, D.D.S., M.S., was appointed as the Pediatric Dentistry Predoctoral Director.

An associate professor, Cheon led the pediatric dental clinic and pre-doctoral program in an interim capacity for last five years. During that time, she directed the department’s COVID-19 response and facilitated patient care during the pandemic. Actively engaged in didactic and clinical teaching, she worked to develop an effective teaching pedagogy by offering one-on-mentoring sessions for dental professionals. She also serves as a director of community outreach programs, including Give Kids A Smile and TeamSmile events.

In addition to her administrative roles, Cheon is developing an interdisciplinary research program in pulp-dentin tissue healing and regeneration using a nitric oxide releasing biomimetic nanomatrix gel. Her innovative research has been supported by NIH/NIDCR Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award, the AADOCR Anne D. Haffajee Fellowship, and Alabama Research and Development Enhancement Fund.

An assistant professor, Lin received her dental degree from Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan in 2011. She came to UAB in 2018 for a residency in pediatric dentistry, receiving her certificate in 2020 and earning a master's degree the following year. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and a Fellow of the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry. In addition to her new role, Lin will continue to work with dental students and residents, both didactically and clinically.

"Both faculty members have been instrumental in the successful operation of the Finn Clinic and the excellent didactic and clinical training of the predoctoral students and postdoctoral residents," said Janice Jackson, D.M.D., department chair. "We are fortunate to have them both in the department of Pediatric Dentistry and look forward to their continued contributions to the excellence of our department and education of our students and residents.”