Bates appointed senior associate dean for clinical affairs and operations at UF College of Dentistry

Robert E. Bates, D.D.S., M.S., an associate professor of prosthodontics and former executive associate dean at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, has been appointed senior associate dean for clinical affairs and operations.

A 19-year veteran of clinical affairs at the college, Bates came to Gainesville in 1984 from the University of Nebraska to serve as director of the Parker E. Mahan Facial Pain Center. He was promoted to director of clinical affairs in 1987 and has served the college over the years in the roles of assistant dean for clinical affairs, associate dean for clinical affairs and executive associate dean. Bates was also, for an overlapping period between 1997 and 1999, the acting chairman of the departments of periodontology and prosthodontics.

As the senior associate dean for clinical affairs and operations, Bates is responsible for overseeing the college's complex clinical enterprise consisting of student, resident and faculty practice clinics, with patient visits nearing 75,000 and billing exceeding $13 million annually.

Under Bates' leadership, the college has been successful in implementing several innovative clinical and educational improvements, most notably the patient simulation laboratory in 1998, several extensive clinic renovations, and the computerized chair-side patient charting and billing system known as Quick Recovery in 2003. His challenge as senior associate dean will be to work with the college's dean and department chairs to broaden clinical efficiencies through renovations or new construction to support the college�s need to expand educational opportunities for its dental students and residents.

Bates earned a bachelor's in secondary education at Central Missouri State University in 1960, a dental degree from University of Nebraska College of Dentistry in 1970, and a master's in prosthodontics in 1977. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. He has been the recipient of the Senior Class Clinician of the Year Award and the College of Dentistry Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award, and has served on numerous campus, college and professional organization committees and councils.