Cariology, Restorative Sciences & Endodontics Faculty Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Hospital Dentistry

Three new faculty members join School of Dentistry5 min read

July 29, 2020

Three new faculty members join School of Dentistry5 min read

New Faculty Updates are published in January and July each year to introduce full-time faculty who have joined the School of Dentistry.

Ann Arbor, Mich., July 29, 2020 – The three new full-time faculty members who joined the School of Dentistry since Feb. 1, 2020, specialize in cariology, restorative sciences, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Here are brief biographies of their backgrounds and professional interests:

Clarissa Fontoura

Clarissa Fontoura joined the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics as a Clinical Assistant Professor on Feb. 1. Dr. Fontoura received her DDS degree from Gama Filho University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Upon graduation, Dr. Fontoura worked as a part-time private practitioner in Rio de Janeiro and served in the Brazilian Air Force. She holds a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the Brazilian Air Force and an MS in Medical Science from the Fluminense Federal University, Brazil. In 2019, she earned a PhD in Oral Science at the University of Iowa. Her research focuses on investigating the genetic contributors for both normal and abnormal phenotypic variation within the craniofacial complex. She seeks to leverage phenotypic data to explore dental-craniofacial growth and morphology as it relates to malocclusion, dental anomalies and non-syndromic cleft lip and palate.

Rodrigo Maia

• Rodrigo Maia joined the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics as a Clinical Associate Professor on Feb. 2.  Dr. Maia received his DDS degree from Gama Filho University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dr. Maia served in the Brazilian Air Force and has worked extensively as a part-time private practitioner in Rio de Janeiro. He holds a Certificate in Operative Dentistry and in Periodontology from the Brazilian Air Force. He earned an MS and PhD in Restorative Dentistry from the Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil. He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Iowa and was appointed as a Director of the Operative Dentistry graduate program at the Brazilian Air Force. In 2012, he joined the Department of Operative Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics as a Visiting Assistant Professor, and in 2013 was hired as an Assistant Professor. From 2015 to 2020, he served as a Co-Director of the Advanced Education Program in Operative Dentistry at Iowa. As a clinician-scientist, his research interests include the interaction of light in dental tissues/biomaterials and developing new ways to achieve restorations with light properties that closely replicate the natural appearance of dental tissues.

Gerardo Romeo

• Gerardo Romeo was named Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry, and director of Preclinical Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, effective July 1. He earned his DDS from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, his medical degree from Drexel University and a Master of Business Administration degree, with a focus in strategic healthcare management, from the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University. He completed residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, the Hospital of Saint Raphael/Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven and a fellowship in pediatric craniomaxillofacial and oral surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He served as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Department of Surgery at University of Cincinnati Medical Center from 2013-15. Dr. Romeo joins U-M from Northwell Health at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y., where he was the Residency Program Director and Division Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Department of Dental Medicine. He also served as the medical director for the cleft and craniofacial team at Cohen Children’s Medical center and has demonstrated a commitment to global health, having volunteered extensively to provide comprehensive cleft care to underserved populations across Mexico. He has lectured extensively on cleft lip and palate care and is passionate about the integration of ethical business practice and principles into dental education. 

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The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care and community service.  General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the school to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan.  Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia and public agencies.  Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide.  For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.  Contact: Lynn Monson, associate director of communications, at dentistry.communications@umich.edu, or (734) 615-1971.