Campus News

UK College of Dentistry Names New Department Chair

Dr. Zindell Richardson
Dr. Zindell Richardson is the new chair of the Department of Oral Health Science at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 15, 2020) - Dr. Zindell Richardson has been named chair of the Department of Oral Health Science at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.

As a new faculty member, Dr. Richardson hopes to continue the college's mission of leadership in education, patient care, discovery and community engagement.

"I am honored to be a part of this team, and I intend to help stretch the success this great institution has already attained," Richardson said.

Originally from Campbellsville, Kentucky, Richardson earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Campbellsville University and received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree at the UK College of Dentistry. He practiced general dentistry for 17 years in Lexington before starting his career as a general dentist in the United States Air Force in 2000. After six years in this position, he was selected to attend the Air Force's Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency, from which he graduated as valedictorian.

Prior to joining UK faculty, Richardson served as commander of the 59th Dental Training Squadron (DTS) at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The 59th DTS is the largest Dental Squadron in the Air Force Medical Service and home to the Air Force's Post Graduate Dental School. In addition, Richardson previously served as a dental flight commander, deputy squadron commander and squadron commander for Aerospace Medicine, commander of the 78th Dental Squadron at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, as well as chief of Dental Program Mangement at the Air Force Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA) in San Antonio, Texas.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to give back to the institution that gave me my 'calling' in life and society," Richardson said.

In 2018, Richardson received the Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence award from the UK Alumni Association, Lyman T. Johnson African American Alumni Group. The award recognizes an African American alum whose faith, hard work and determination have positively affected people's lives on the UK campus, the city, state or nation.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.