Dr. Harinder Sandhu steps down as Vice Dean and Director, Schulich Dentistry

Dr. Sandhu has been a faculty member at Western University since 1985, and a part of the School of Dentistry since 1987, when he became an Assistant Professor, Division of Periodontics, with a cross appointment to Oral Biology. In 1998, he was promoted to full Professor.  

During the following decade, he served on numerous committees at the School and on a national level, and he served in progressively more senior leadership positions including Acting Director and Associate Dean. In 2006, he became Director of Schulich Dentistry. He assumed his current position of Vice Dean and Director in 2011.

Under Dr. Sandhu’s leadership, Schulich Dentistry has experienced a number of changes including a renewed curriculum and an expanded research mission. The completion of the new General Anesthetic Suite marked a significant achievement for the School in providing a level of combined service and embedded teaching that is unique amongst North American Dental Schools.

Dr. Sandhu’s presence on a number of national societies and boards has helped to maintain the prominence of our dental school. Key amongst these has been his serving as the President of the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD) and the Chair of the Cone Beam Technology Policy Group for the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.

Dr. Sandhu has been recognized for his commitment to education, research and leadership through a number of awards and fellowships including, and most recently, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award and the ADEA/Sunstar Americas, Inc./Harry W. Bruce Jr. Legislative Fellowship.  

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Sandhu has remained an active researcher and maintained a clinical practice.

Dr. Michael J. Strong, dean, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry thank Dr. Sandhu for his many contributions to our School.