NOTE TO EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: Dr. Felton will be introduced to School of Dentistry faculty, staff and students at noon on Wednesday, June 22, in the Fukushima Auditorium at the Health Sciences Center. He will be available for media interviews before and after that event.

Prosthodontist led national specialty group and edits scientific journal

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – David A. Felton, D.D.S., M.S., a professor at the University of North Carolina, has been named dean of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Felton to Morgantown,” said Christopher C. Colenda, M.D., M.P.H., chancellor for health sciences, who announced the appointment to the WVU Dentistry faculty earlier today. “He has an international reputation as a clinician, an educator and a researcher and is eager to work with our excellent faculty to advance the oral health of West Virginians.”

Felton is a graduate of the UNC dental school and has served on its faculty since 1990. A specialist in prosthodontics (the restoration or replacement of teeth), he is a past president of the American College of Prosthodontics and has served as editor-in-chief of the “Journal of Prosthodontics” since 2003. His research interests include dental implants, all ceramic crowns, the relationship between oral health and systemic health and biological responses to restorative dental procedures. 

At UNC, Felton served as director of graduate prosthodontics from 1989-1992 and as chair of prosthodontics from 1992-2002.

“He is a hands-on leader with exemplary academic credentials,” Dr. Colenda said. “He’s maintained an active dental practice throughout his career at UNC, while serving in leadership positions in his profession. We’re very confident that he can help build upon the success of the WVU School of Dentistry and bring it to national prominence.”

Colenda also expressed his appreciation to Louise T. Veselicky, D.D.S., who has served as interim dean of the School of Dentistry since 2007. “Dr. Veselicky has been a major force in developing resources and strategies to advance oral health across the state of West Virginia during her tenure as interim dean. We appreciate all she has done for the School and the state.”