Faculty Retirements

2021 Faculty Retirements

David Clement, D.D.S.

David Clement, D.D.S., was born in Hettinger, North Dakota. Dr. Clement went to Jamestown College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biology. He then went to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, where he received his doctorate of dental surgery degree in 1981 and a certificate in endodontics in 1992 from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Clement began his career at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as an assistant professor in endodontics, eventually becoming a clinical assistant professor in 1995 and professor at UTHSC College of Graduate Health Sciences in 2012.

He came to the college in 2001 as an assistant professor and became chair of the department of endodontics in 2006. In 2012, he left the college for a few years to be the director of graduate endodontics at the University of Tennessee before coming back to the college in 2015. Dr. Clement served the college for 15 years.

Laurie Cunningham, R.D.H.

Laurie Cunningham served as an associate professor at the college. She instructed dental hygiene and dental students in their predoctoral treatment. She also taught geriatric dentistry and applied dental materials. Cunningham was involved in many professional societies and organizations throughout her career. She served as president of the Oklahoma Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee, among many others. She actively volunteered at the Ministries of Jesus Dental Clinic and enjoyed volunteering at the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy dental event each year.

John Dmytryk, D.D.S., Ph.D.

John Dmytryk, D.D.S., Ph.D., was born in Westfield, New Jersey, and grew up in Illinois and Delaware. During his junior year of high school, he became a janitor for an office complex owned by a dentist, which sparked his interest in dentistry. Dr. Dmytryk attended the University of Delaware and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1977. He met his wife and soul-mate, Jane, while attending college. He went to the University of Florida to attend dental school and graduated in 1981 and pursued specialty training and a doctorate in cell biology from the University of North Carolina in 1990.

Dr. Dmytryk joined the college on Aug. 1, 1990, as an assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics. During his time at the college, he was also a tenured professor in periodontics, director of graduate periodontics, associate dean for research and associate dean for academic affairs. He was active in research which allowed him to travel to many different countries. In 2003, he was awarded a $9.8 million COBRE grant. He was also awarded the Presidential Professorship in 2000. Dr. Dmytryk is looking forward to retirement with his beloved wife doing meaningful service activities, visiting their daughter and spending time riding bikes and hiking. Dr. Dmytryk served the college for 31 years.