Robert M TaftChairman,School of Dentistry,The University of Texas Health Science Center, USA.
Biography
Dr. Taft hails from Littleneck Long Island, New York. Received his D.D.S. degree from Emory University School of Dentistry and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U. S. Navy Dental Corps immediately following graduation.
Dr. Taft?s first Navy duty station was a one-year general practice residency (GPR) at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, VA. In July of the following year, he reported to Naval Communication Station San Miguel, Philippines as Department Head of Dental Services. His next duty station was at Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, where he served as the clinic Prosthodontist and Division Officer.
Dr. Taft entered the Prosthodontic residency program at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, Bethesda, MD; upon graduation, he accepted a staff position in the Prosthodontic Department as the Laboratory Officer and Head of Fixed Prosthdontics. Dr. Taft graduated from a fellowship program in Maxillofacial Prosthetics at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. Following specialty training, various clinical and leadership positions were held at Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA. Dr. Taft next served as Chairman and Program Director for the Maxillofacial Prosthetics Fellowship Officer program, Naval Postgraduate Dental School and later as professor in the Naval Postgraduate Prosthodontics Residency Program. Next assignment was to the Navy Medicine Education and Training Command, Bethesda, MD, as Director, Graduate Programs as well as the Medical Joint-Service Education Director, for the 2005 BRAC process. Dr. Taft served as Dean of the Naval Postgraduate Dental School and concurrently as Director of Dental Services, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda Maryland; Specialty Leader to the Surgeon General for Postgraduate Dental Education; Deputy Chief, United States Navy Dental Corps; Department Chair, Prosthodontics, Naval Postgraduate Dental School and currently Chairman, Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, (UTHSCSA) School of Dentistry, San Antonio Texas.
Dr. Taft is a Diplomate, Board Examiner and President of the American Board of Prosthodontics, Fellow/Vice President of the American College of Prosthodontists, Fellow, Academy of Prosthodontics, Past President of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, Director of ADT North America, CODA site visitor, and past Specialty Leader to the Surgeon General for Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Implant Dentistry. His personal awards include two Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service medals, two Navy Commendation medals and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, the Judson C. Hickey Scientific Writing Award (JPD), Presidents Exceptional Service Award, Professor Emeritus, USUHS, Deans Award for Teaching Excellence.
Research Interest
Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Advanced Digital Technology