UFCD: Faculty Honors, Awards and Appointments

Faculty Farewells

Douglas K. Benn retired from his positions of professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery and diagnostic sciences, director of oral diagnostic systems and director of radiology curriculum at UF College of Dentistry this November.

Benn arrived at the college in 1992 as an assistant professor in the department with joint appointment in the College of Medicine. Previously, Benn served as a clinical assistant lecturer in maxillofacial radiology and research fellow at University of London, England. He also has more than 16 years in private practice.

Benn earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery from London Hospital Medical College, a Master of Philosophy in Computer Science from Open University, Milton Keynes, England, a Ph.D. from University of London, and his Diploma in Dental Radiology from Royal College of Radiologists, United Kingdom.

Areas of research interest are design of new health care systems incorporating community health promotion, education for self-care of disease prevention and management, and demand and supply reduction of health services.

Although retiring from academic life, Benn plans to remain active in dentistry by consulting with the U.S. Veterans Administration and he is working to establish a continuing education program with the UF colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy in San Jose, Costa Rica. Benn, wife Ava, and step-daughter Ariel, 10, will relocate to Alajuena, Costa Rica and the family looks forward to new adventures in a beautiful new land.

Carroll Graves Bennett retired from the college at the end of November, leaving a long and productive career at the college spanning three decades.

Bennett first came to UF in 1973 to serve as professor and chair in the college’s Department of Pedodontics – now named the Department of Pediatric Dentistry – a position he held for 12 years. In 1985, he was appointed director of admissions and student financial aid, and in 1995, associate dean for admissions and student affairs. As associate dean for admissions, Bennett guided the school through a period of vigorous, and often challenging, enrollment growth. In 2001, he returned to pediatrics as a teaching professor.

Bennett earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery, certificate in pedodontics and master’s in physiology from Medical College of Virginia. Before coming to UF, he taught at West Virginia University for 11 years, where he served as professor, chair and assistant dean. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and served as an examiner and chairman for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Set to retire in fall of 2003, Bennett graciously agreed to serve as interim chair for pediatric dentistry while the search for a new chair was conducted to replace Chair Robert Primosch, who was promoted to associate dean for education. Bennett also participated on the search committee, which tapped Marcio Guelmann to serve as acting chair of the department. Although retirement began in November, Bennett will continue to teach pediatric dentistry part-time this spring while the department recruits new faculty.

Bennett and wife, Sue, plan to spend their retirement visiting with children and grandchildren. Oldest daughter, Susan, lives in Sarasota, Fla. with her husband and two children, and youngest daughter, Elizabeth, resides in Clearwater with her dentist-husband and their two children.

“It’s been a really special time for us,” Bennett said of his and Sue’s UF experience. “I’m leaving at a time when the department is strong, with 10 residents and a strong international influence. So I feel good about that.”

Kimberly Jones-Rudolph said her good-byes to UFCD in June and moved with her family to Tennessee where she plans to pursue a doctorate in public health at the University of Tennessee.

Jones-Rudolph, known for her high energy and strong service ethic, came to the college in 2001 to serve as clinical assistant professor in the Foreign Trained Dentist Program. Her duties were to teach clinically-based comprehensive dentistry and to incorporate community service into the college’s curriculum.

During her time at the college, Jones-Rudolph spearheaded the college’s involvement in the American Dental Association’s first Give Kids a Smile event, involving 25 community dentists who provided free dental care to more than 120 children in Alachua and Gadsden counties. Due to her outstanding efforts during Give Kids a Smile, the Florida Dental Association honored Jones-Rudolph with a special recognition award at the 2003 Florida National Dental Congress.

Jones-Rudolph earned her dental degree from University of Pennsylvania and master’s degrees in public health and health administration as well as diploma in public health from the University of Florida.

 

Clara Turner, D.M.D., an associate professor in the college’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry, retired June 30. Loved by students and patients for her funny and caring personality, Turner served in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and the Craniofacial Center for more than 22 years.

During her career at the college, Turner served as director of the department’s Pediatric Residency Program and director of the Undergraduate Pediatric Dental Clinic. She served on numerous college committees, was a consultant to the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education and Commission of Dental Accreditation, served as president of the Florida Society of Dentistry for Children and was chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation. She has contributed to the advancement of dentistry for children by teaching dental students and residents via presentations at state and national meetings and publishing in scientific journals.

Turner is a leader in the area of dental care for infants and children with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial anomalies. As a member of the University of Florida Craniofacial Team, she participated with other medical and dental specialists in treatment issues and research studies relating to dental health of children with birth defects involving the oral cavity.

Turner earned her dental degree and certificate in pediatric dentistry at the University of Kentucky, is a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

She plans to spend her retirement traveling and will resettle in Aiken, S.C.