Vineet Dhar, BDS, MDS, PhD
Dr. Dhar is a clinical professor and chair of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry and assistant dean of postgraduate and professional studies in dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. A board-certified pediatric dentist, he has a unique background that includes high achievement in professional education, successful private practice of dentistry, administration and teaching in dental school environment, leadership, service, and scholarship.
Dr. Dhar completed his undergraduate dental training at Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College, Pune, India in 1995. This was followed by several advanced degrees, including a Master of Science in Pediatric and Preventive dentistry from Manipal College of Dental Surgery in 1999, with a thesis entitled, “Comparative evaluation of pit and fissure sealants using invasive and non-invasive technique-an in vitro study.” Dr. Dhar also completed a post graduate diploma in hospital and health care management. In 2009, he received a PhD from MLS University, India, with a thesis entitled “Cariology and its Prevention in Pediatric Dentistry.” In 2013, Dr. Dhar received his certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, USA.
He currently serves as a Director of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD). In addition, he serves the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) as Member of Editorial Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Consultant of Council on Scientific Affairs, and Member of Evidence Based Committee. Dr. Dhar also serves the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry (IAPD) as the Chair of Science Committee, and the American Dental Association (ADA) on its Council on Scientific Affairs as the Chair of Policy and Guidance Subcommittee.
Dr. Dhar is a recipient of multiple national awards including the 2024 Dr. Ronald A. Bell Mentor of the Year Award and the 2022 AAPD Lewis A. Kay Excellence in Education Award for excellence in teaching. He received the 2022 Beverly Largent Access to Care Innovator Award and the 2017 AAPD's Jerome B. Miller/Crest-Oral-B/For The Kids Award for outstanding service. In addition, he has received the 2024 Suzi Seale Coll Evidence-Based Dentistry Service Award, 2022 Suzi Seale Coll Evidence-Based Dentistry Service Award, and 2018 ADA/AADR Evidence Based Dentistry Mid-Career Faculty Award for excellence in research. He is also the co-recipient of the 2016 Paul P. Taylor best manuscript award for his systematic review evaluating effectiveness of current therapies for ECC and served as a co-author on the manuscripts on fissure sealants, non-vital pulp therapies in primary teeth, and vital pulp therapies in primary teeth that received the 2017, 2020, and 2024 Paul P. Taylor awards respectively.
Dr. Dhar received the 2017 ADEA Leadership Phase V Leadership Development Tuition Scholarship award for ADEA/AAL Chairs and Academic Administrators Management program and AAPD-HSHC Master Clinician Scholarship to attend the 2016 ADEA/AAL Institute for Teaching and Learning program. Dr. Dhar has completed his fellowship from ADEA Leadership Institute in 2016. He also participated in the AAPD Leadership Institute at Kelloggs' School of Management and the Advanced Leadership Institute at Wharton's Business School. He is currently enrolled in the Leadership Maryland Class of 2024.
Dr. Dhar works on incorporating evidence-based dentistry in education and patient care and serves on AAPD, IAPD, and ADA expert panels to create evidence-based clinical recommendations. Dr. Dhar has been involved in multiple research grants and projects and has also directed thesis work for masters’ students as advisor or co-advisor. He has produced several publications and presentations, primarily in the areas of evidence-based dentistry, chronic disease management, restorative care, nonpharmacological behavior guidance, pediatric dental pain, preventive dentistry, fissure sealants, dental trauma, and pulp therapies. Dr. Dhar advocates that every child deserves a dental home and works with his team to administer a grant supported access to care program for underserved uninsured children in Maryland.
