Pereira to direct new master’s in operative dentistry program

Pereira_Patricia_wcoat_webThe University of Florida College of Dentistry has announced a new graduate education program in the Department of Restorative Dental Sciences for general dentists who want to earn a master’s degree in operative dentistry – the Master of Science in Dental Sciences with specialization in Operative and Esthetic Dentistry (24 months), with a pre-requisite of a 12-month Certificate Program in Operative and Esthetic Dentistry. The program will focus on enhancing students’ expertise in the areas of operative dentistry, digital dentistry, esthetic dentistry, prevention and cariology; creating new knowledge in the field; providing evidence-based dentistry and preparing students to become future academicians with a balanced approach to all three components of the college’s mission in teaching, research and service.

The Master’s in Operative Dentistry program will be directed by Patricia Pereira, D.D.S., Ph.D., a clinical associate professor in restorative dentistry’s Division of Operative Dentistry.

Pereira received her dental degree from the University of the Planalto Central, Brasilia, Brazil, in 1993, her PhD in operative dentistry from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, in 1998 and a certificate in prosthodontics in 2014 from the Patos de Minas Educational Association in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 2014.

She joined UF in 2015 with 12 years of teaching experience including six years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in operative dentistry. Pereira is also actively involved in dental materials research, a member of various professional national and international organizations, and serves on editorial boards of national and international journals. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and presented many scientific research programs and continuing education courses.