Edwardsville, IL (PRWEB) November 09, 2012 -- The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees yesterday appointed Dr. Bruce Rotter as dean of the SIU School of Dental Medicine in Alton. His appointment is effective Nov. 9.
“Searches for highly qualified deans are extremely competitive, and we were fortunate to have our most qualified candidate already on campus,” SIUE Interim Provost Ann Boyle said. “Dr. Rotter possesses the range of experience in education, research, service and administration to guide the School of Dental Medicine as it continues to excel.”
Rotter stated his fundamental educational philosophy: “The entire foundation of a properly run School of Dental Medicine must be based on a sound vision of educational quality. As chief educational officer, the dean must be the facilitator of that vision, constantly aware that providing educational excellence to our students is our primary mission.”
“The dental profession is encountering changes and challenges at a rapid pace, including rapidly evolving materials and technology, regulatory concerns, and access to care and workforce issues,” Rotter said. “It is imperative that the dental school curriculum remain contemporary. It must be proactively assessed and revised based on the demands of the profession and the marketplace.”
An SDM alum and Glen Carbon resident, Rotter was associate dean for Academic Affairs for seven years prior to serving as interim dean since June 2011. He joined the SDM faculty previously as an assistant professor in 1993, was named associated professor in 1997 and a professor in 2009. During that time frame, Rotter created and administered one of the first implant fellowship training programs in the country. That program led to the creation of a freestanding implant clinic, which he designed, helped develop and directed.
While at the School for Dental Medicine, Rotter also has served the Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Education in two roles. First, he was an adjunct associate professor in the Graduate Endodontics Program from 1996-2000. Since 2000, he has been a clinical associate professor in the Graduate Periodontics Program.
Throughout his academic career, Rotter has continued to be active in the private practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery in order to maintain his knowledge and skills while bringing that experience to the academic setting. He has worked with Southern Illinois Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ltd., in Belleville and Glen Carbon since 2002. He also has served the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in St. Louis as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and/or consultant since 1994. In addition, Rotter has contributed his expertise in support of the dental specialty programs in Endodontics and Periodontics that SIU-SDM shares with St. Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education since 1996.
Rotter earned his D.M.D. from SIU SDM in 1982. He achieved a certificate in general practice residency in 1983 at Ehrling-Bergquist U.S. Air Force Regional Hospital at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb. He went overseas in 1989 to Arhus University Hospitals in Arhus, Denmark for international exchange training in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Rotter earned both a master’s degree, and an oral and maxillofacial surgery certificate in 1990 from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He achieved a fellowship certificate in 2000 from the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C.
A member in 15 dental professional associations, Rotter has been elected to fellowship by the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Rotter has been associated with more than a dozen hospitals throughout his career including current affiliations with Belleville Memorial Hospital, Healthsouth Surgical Center in Belleville and the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in St. Louis.
Rotter is licensed by the State of Illinois for General Dental, Specialty-Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia.
