Congratulations to Dr. David DeVito on being named Assistant Dean for Predoctoral Clinical Affairs of the UK College of Dentistry (UKCD).  

UKCD Dean Dr. Jeff Okeson stated, “In past years, we have had an individual designated as the Assistant Dean for Predoctoral Clinical Affairs. This position plays an important role in creating a successful environment for our dental students and has not been filled for the past few years. Dr. DeVito has had extensive experience in our student clinics, not only working with the Division of Oral Diagnosis, but also in other aspects aimed at enhancing our patient experiences. I believe his insights and experiences will enhance the dental student experience.” 

“As student education is the central role of our college, student clinical experiences are vital to their education. My role is to interact with students, faculty, and staff to evaluate and improve the student clinical education experience. I look forward to enhancing student engagement in clinical practice,” shared DeVito 

DeVito received his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in 2015. He received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering and B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Florida. After completing his DMD, DeVito went into private practice at Aspen Dental as the Managing Clinical Director and later to Immediadent Urgent Dental Care. He joined UKCD as full-time faculty in 2017 after feeling called to pursue developing a new clinic and train dentists based on conversations, he had with Dr. Craig Miller, UKCD Associate Dean for Faculty Affair and Development.  

Speaking on what he hopes to accomplish in his new role and how his interactions with Dr. Kathryn Wade, UKCD Chief of Division of Comprehensive Care, and Dr. Kenneth Nusbacher, UKCD Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, will help achieve them, DeVito shares, “My hope is to build on the successes of the college in continuing to graduate excellent clinical dentists. I also will evaluate opportunities the college has to improve the student clinical activities by using data driven decision making. Just as we instill in our students that they must be lifelong learners, we as educators must always seek to innovate. Dr. Nusbacher is responsible for all clinics, so I will be working in concert with him on decisions to maintain and improve our student clinics. The student clinic is unique in that our practitioners are in the process of becoming doctors and as such need supervision and guidance. My role is to facilitate this with all the division chiefs and course directors. The Comprehensive Care Division, and Dr. Wade as chief, are vital to the success of our student clinical education experience. I will be working closely with her and all the team leaders to help our students transition to full members of the profession.”  

DeVito also will be continuing as the UKCD Director of Diagnosis, Wellness, and Prevention Clinic. When sharing how his experiences at the college have helped prepare him for this position, DeVito states, “Serving as a clinical instructor, I've had an opportunity to interact with students across all four years. This gives me an insight into how our students are developing. Working in Oral Diagnosis has given me the pleasure of working with colleagues across the disciplines in the college and building relationships with them. Serving as Director of the Diagnosis, Wellness, and Prevention Clinic has provided me with an opportunity to learn more about how our student clinics operate differently from other clinics.”