College Announces

New Leadership and Key Roles

Division Head of Oral Pathology

Ronnie Faram, D.D.S., was named division head of oral pathology in May 2022.

Dr. Faram received his D.D.S. from the college in 2012 and spent five years working for Cherokee National Dental Services before completing a pathology residency from New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital in 2020. He joined the college in 2020 as a clinical assistant professor and is also the lab director.

“It’s an honor and privilege to serve as division head of oral pathology. With the help of Kathleen Higgins, D.D.S., M.S., and excellent experienced staff like Karen Lassiter (43 years at OU - senior medical transcriptionist), we hope to expand the educational experience of dental students and residents by involving them in research and opportunities to shadow at the microscope or digital slides,” said Dr. Faram. “We seek to serve the Oklahoma dental community as a knowledgeable resource in oral pathology and biopsy services.”

The college’s Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Department provides services not only to Oklahoma dentists, but receives specimens from all over the United States to be carefully biopsied.

“This is an exciting time for the division and the college as Dr. Faram brings an innovative vision that will ensure notable growth and development of the division’s mission in areas of education, research and service,” said Paul M. Mullasseril, D.D.S., M.S., dean of the college.

Division Head of Comprehensive Care

On Aug. 1, 2022, J. Michael Willbanks, D.D.S., was named division head of comprehensive care.

Dr. Willbanks is a 1984 graduate of the college. After graduating with his doctorate in dental surgery, he attended a post-graduate surgical and prosthetics training in implantology and went to the Misch Implant Institute in 1997. He is a member of several dental professional organizations and owned a private practice for more than 20 years.

“I have always enjoyed the teaching aspect of my career,” said Dr. Willbanks. “I am thrilled to be the new division head of comprehensive care. When I see the spark students get from understanding a new procedure and putting together what they have learned with a treatment plan, it keeps my passion for teaching in dentistry going.”

Division Head of Periodontics

Tracey Whitley, D.M.D., M.S., was named the new division head of periodontics in June of 2022.

Dr. Whitley attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, earning her doctorate in dental medicine in 2014. She returned to Oklahoma City, completing her periodontal residency and master of science degree in periodontics at the college in 2017.

She entered private practice as a periodontist for three years, also serving the college during this time as a part-time clinical instructor in periodontics. In 2020, Dr. Whitley transitioned to the college full time, pursuing her passion for education and sharing her love of periodontics with the dental students.

“I am honored and humbled by the trust that Dr. Mullasseril and the college have in me to lead the Division of Periodontics. Currently Oklahoma ranks 49th in the nation in terms of access to affordable dental care and scored a D on it’s oral health report card. Periodontics is the foundation of everything done in dentistry and is the starting point for improving Oklahoman’s oral health and longevity for all necessary restorative work. The literature shows us that dental implants aren’t the end-all save all that we once thought they were, and I am grateful to be in a specialty that works hard to do everything possible to save teeth and return the natural

Director of AEGD

Mary Hamburg D.D.S., M.S., who was previously named interim director in 2021, was named permanet Director of Advanced Education in General Dentistry.

dentition to health, said Dr. Whitley.

“With more and more issues arising with dental implants, I honestly believe this is the future of not only periodontics but dentistry as whole, doing everything we can to save the patient’s natural teeth for as long as possible. I have worked alongside Dr. Mullasseril to secure grant funds to help our patients cover the costs of these necessary periodontal procedures to restore health and function to their dentition. In taking on this new role that has been my primary goal and is still what I view as the most immediate need, more funding so that we can start making a dent in the statistics stated above. I believe the future of the college and dentistry as a whole is bright, and I am excited to get to be an integral part of preparing our students and residents for success.”

OMS Training Program Director

Fabio Ritto, D.D.S., M.D., M.S., Ph.D., has been promoted to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Training Program director. For more information, see pages 36-37.