Dr. David Thornton was recently named associate dean for Clinical Affairs for the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD). Previously Thornton served as chief of the Division of Comprehensive Care and assistant dean for Clinical Affairs at UKCD. 

While speaking about clinical goals he plans to work toward in his new role, Thornton shared, “I plan to focus on each of the clinics that make up the College of Dentistry, as a whole. Each clinic should be able to perform in as an efficient manner as possible to best support our mission to help treat the dental needs of not only Kentuckians, but anyone who wishes to seek care from UKCD.” 

Helping to illustrate one of many steps Thornton plans to expand upon, he shared that two full-time hygienists had been hired to assist with standard dental hygiene needs of regular DMD Student Clinic patients. By relying on additional staff for these needs, dental students proficient in performing this type of treatment could focus on the more involved restorative and prosthodontic treatment needs of patients. 

“It’s important our students have enough time to experience treating the needs of more complex patients to help ensure they graduate being proficient and experienced in dental concepts being used currently in the private sector. Having the benefit of a digital surgical suite in the DMD Student Clinic and experienced faculty helps with this goal. Our dental students are already working with our residents and faculty to take part in, for example, “all-on-X” cases than involve multiple surgically guided dental implants to be placed which serve as a foundation for prosthetic teeth. We will continue to ensure the college’s pre-clinical teaching reflects what is happening in private practice and that students are able to be involved in a variety of treatment solutions such as these types of cases,” adds Thornton.

Thornton graduated with a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) from UKCD in 2000. After working 12 years in private dental practice, he joined UKCD as a part-time faculty member. In 2016, Thornton began serving in the role of a full-time team leader in the college’s Division of Comprehensive Care, where he later became chief of the division in 2017. In 2018, he also served as assistant dean of Pre-Doctoral Clinics, during which time he oversaw extensive renovations to the DMD Student Clinic areas and the expansion of the clinic’s use of digital technology as a regular part of patient care.