PEARLS: A SYMPOSIUM ON CLINICAL EXCELLENCE

Theresa Gonzales ,DMD,MS,MSS, is the Interim Dean and Professor at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. Dual board-certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Orofacial Pain, she holds a DMD from the Medical University of South Carolina, a Master of Science in Health Care Management from George Washington University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Before transitioning into higher education executive leadership, Dr. Gonzales completed more than 30 years of active military service in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, retiring as a Colonel. Her military career featured key executive roles, including Director of Strategic Communications for the Office of the Army Surgeon General and command of healthcare formations across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. A recognized advocate for access to oral healthcare and public health policy, Dr. Gonzales has previously served as Executive Director of the American College of Dentists and Associate Dean of Extramural Clinics at DCG. She has published over 75 peer-reviewed scientific articles and is a recipient of the ADA Distinguished Service Award and the Pierre Fauchard Gold Medal.