Denis F. Kinane named dean of Penn dental school

Philadelphia—On Feb. 19, the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine named Dr. Denis F. Kinane its new dean. His appointment is effective July 1.

Dr. Kinane is currently the Delta Dental Endowed Professor in the Department of Periodontics, Endodontics and Dental Hygiene and associate dean for research and enterprise at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, and a professor of microbiology and immunology in the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

A native of Scotland, Dr. Kinane earned his bachelor of dental surgery in 1980 and his Ph.D. in microbiology in 1983, both from the University of Edinburgh. He is a member of the Faculties of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and holds specialist registration in the U.K. in periodontics and restorative dentistry.

He has taught periodontics for more than 20 years, has supervised students in teaching and research clinics, and developed educational and computer-assisted learning programs. In his research, Dr. Kinane has examined the relationships between oral and systemic health and among diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and periodontal disease.

Calling Dr. Kinane a skilled recruiter of outstanding faculty, Penn officials commended him for dramatically improving the Louisville dental school’s research profile and professional standing—raising its national ranking in research funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research from 37th to 12th.

“Dr. Kinane brings to Penn a compelling and interdisciplinary vision for the future of dental science,” Penn President Amy Gutmann said. “He has a deep understanding of the interdependence among the educational, research and clinical missions of a dental school and an unyielding commitment to the highest quality teaching, excellence in patient care and eminence in research.”

“Dr. Kinane is a strong advocate of closer ties among dental medicine, medicine and the basic sciences and of forging new linkages between dental schools, the community and business sectors,” added Interim Provost Vincent Price. “He will help us further advance Penn’s strong commitment to access, to integrating knowledge across disciplines and to local and global engagement.”