Congratulations to the School of Dentistry’s Dr. Connie L. White, who is the new president of the Academy of General Dentistry. She was installed this month during the academy’s annual meeting, held in Chicago this year.

“I am confident that, together, we can accomplish a lot during my year as president,” Dr. White said. “I want to work with everyone to create a mosaic of impactful change. Academia, mentoring young people, and my love of dentistry and learning have been my life. They’re how I found AGD, and I have shared my love of AGD with every student I have known for just over 40 years of teaching and practice.”

At the School of Dentistry, Dr. White is associate professor, interim dean for clinical programs and assistant dean for community relations and communications earned her DDS (’81) and bachelor’s degree in chemistry (’77) at UMKC. She also earned her certificate in oral medicine in 1989.

When she started teaching, Dr. White became involved in the Missouri Academy of General Dentistry as its liaison to the School of Dentistry. For the academy’s national organization, she most recently was vice president, and its secretary before that. Now, she said, she wants to use her term as president to help dentists improve the care they give, and to help them be involved with and benefit from the academy.

In addition to having a general practice and teaching for decades at UMKC, Dr. White holds fellowships in the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and the Academy of Dentistry International. She also is active in the American Dental Association, Missouri Dental Association and the Greater KC Dental Society.