Division of Pediatric and Community Oral Health
Division of Restorative Dentistry

The department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences includes the disciplines of Community Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry, and Restorative Dentistry. The overall, unifying theme for the department is health/oral health for all people and their communities. Faculty members in the department are committed to teaching, research and service programs involving both outreach and care to children, adults, and elderly populations.

Faculty members combine principles of academic service learning, and oral rehabilitation procedures that are in the forefront of restoring oral health in all patients whether at the School of Dental Medicine, in a local community setting for the elderly, or in the PennSmiles van for children. Students are involved in the departments' teaching, research, and service programs.

The department promotes a holistic philosophy of health that places oral health as an integral part of general health. The department's programs emphasize the need to go beyond the traditional scope of the individual patient to focus activities within the community and society at large so that health care is understood within the context of culture and the global community. In all of its activities, the department embraces the importance of cultural diversity and tolerance. The department is committed to promoting cultural competence and teaching personal and professional ethics among the multinational faculty, students and staff within Penn Dental Medicine.

The department's health promotion, oral rehabilitation, and outreach programs provide multiple opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to blend the teaching, research, and service missions of the department.

Department Chair:

Dr. Markus B. Blatz, DMD, PhD
Dr. Blatz is Chair and Professor of Restorative Dentistry-Clinician Educator in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences. Prior to joining Penn Dental Medicine in September 2006, he was at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry in New Orleans, where most recently he served as Chairman of the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry and Biomaterials and Assistant Dean for Clinical Research. During his tenure at LSU, Dr. Blatz also directed the Masters of Science in Oral Biology Program.

Prior to joining LSU in 2000, he was a senior faculty member (1998-99) and assistant professor (1994-98) in the Department of Prosthodontics at the University of Freiburg School of Dentistry, Freiburg, Germany. Dr. Blatz graduated and earned his Doctorate from the University of Freiburg in 1994 and 1998, respectively, and completed a residency in prosthodontics/perioprosthodontics there as well in 1997. Dr. Blatz is also a Diplomate in the German Society of Prosthodontics and Material Sciences. A widely published and internationally respected lecturer, Dr. Blatz's main focus within clinical practice and research is esthetic dentistry with an emphasis on implantology and dental materials, particularly ceramics and adhesion.

Dr. Blatz holds editorial positions with numerous professional journals, serving as an associate editor for Quintessence International and Quintessence of Dental Technology, and a section editor for the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is also a member of the editorial boards for the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, the Journal of Adhesive Dentistry, Practical Procedures & Aesthetic Dentistry, the European Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, Dental Lab (or) International, and Clinica – International Journal of Brazilian Dentistry and serves as a scientific reviewer for a number of other scientific dental journals. An active member of many professional societies, including the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, Dr. Blatz is the 2005-2006 President of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Association of Dental Research.

Department Coordinator: Regina Russell 215-898-4778