UB dental school names Brett Chiquet as chair of pediatric and community dentistry

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Brett T. Chiquet, DDS, PhD, has been named professor and chair of the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, effective March 27.

Chiquet will lead the department which, in addition to educating the next generation of pediatric dentists, delivers community outreach programs that provide Western New York children and adolescents with a foundation for good oral health.

He joins UB from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Dentistry, where he was an associate professor of pediatric dentistry.

Chiquet has spent more than a decade of his career in various clinical and academic settings at UTHealth School of Dentistry. He joined the school’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry in 2013 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 2020. Chiquet also served as the department’s director of research, a role he began in 2021.

While at UTHealth, Chiquet led initiatives to enhance clinical practices, educational programs and research collaborations. He taught a variety of pre- and postdoctoral courses in addition to serving as a research mentor and advisor for residents, predoctoral and master’s students.

Chiquet’s research focuses on patient safety and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care. He earned a DDS and PhD from UTHealth, where he also completed his advanced certificate in pediatric dentistry.

As chair, Chiquet will be responsible for the department’s overall administration and driving its strategic priorities. He will work closely with the dental school’s administration to implement innovative academic, clinical care and research programs.

“Dr. Chiquet brings a dynamic vision and demonstrated commitment to excellence to the role of chair of our pediatric and community dentistry department,” said Marcelo Araujo, DDS, PhD, dean of the dental school. “I have no doubt that his leadership will strengthen the department’s impact both within the school and the communities we serve. We are delighted to welcome him to UB.”

Chiquet is a member of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). He participated in the ADEA Emerging Leaders program in 2024. He also served as a reviewer for several academic journals, including the Journal of the American Dental Association, Caries Research, Pediatrics, and the International Journal of Oral and Dental Health.

The Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry, one of seven departments in the School of Dental Medicine, provides expert clinical care to pediatric patients up to age 18 and offers world-class education and training to predoctoral dental students and residents. Michael Markiewicz, professor and Feagans Endowed Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, (MD, DDS, MPH), has served as interim chair of the department since August 2024.

“I wish to thank Dr. Markiewicz for his outstanding leadership as interim chair and Dr. Meelin Dian Chin Kit-Wells for her steadfast dedication as program director,” Araujo said. “Their commitment to our faculty, students and residents were invaluable during this transitional time. As we welcome our new chair, we are excited for the future and the opportunities ahead.”