Bonita A. Wynkoop, D.D.S., received a scholarship from the Council on Dental Education and Licensure. The scholarship will pay for her tuition for the 2017 Academy for Academic Leadership Institute for Teaching and Learning, or AAL/ITL.
Wynkoop first joined the college in December 2011 as a courtesy clinical assistant professor in the UF Department of Operative Dentistry. In June 2012, she transitioned to part time faculty in the Division of Operative Dentistry in the Department of Restorative Dental Sciences and also began working in the Faculty Dental Practice. In 2014 she moved to full time status, adding the responsibility of clinic director in operative dentistry and continuing with multiple teaching activities and faculty practice. In 2016, she was appointed as a team leader for the predoctoral clinics in the Division of General Dentistry in the Department of Restorative Dental Sciences.
Wynkoop earned a bachelor’s degree in health education and dental hygiene from The Ohio State University in 1985. She earned a doctorate of dental science degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston, Texas, in 1992, continuing to work as a part-time hygienist while earning her dental degree. Immediately after graduating from dental school, she purchased a small private practice in Houston which she developed into a large practice with 3,000 patients before moving to Gainesville, Florida, in 2011.
The AAL scholarships were established by the Council on Dental Education to recognize members who are pursuing a career in academia. The awarding of the AAL/ITL tuition scholarships provides the council an opportunity to support the professional development of dental faculty.