UK Professor Honored as First John Mink Endowed Chair in Pediatric Dentistry

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 30, 2015) — Dr. Enrique Bimstein, professor and University of Kentucky College of Dentistry Division Chief of Pediatric Dentistry, has been named as the first holder of the John Mink Endowed Chair in Pediatric Dentistry.

“The last four years at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry have been a most enjoyable, exciting, and fruitful period of my academic career,” said Bimstein. “The John Mink Endowed Chair in Pediatric Dentistry will help facilitate my continuous quest for improvement, with my colleagues in the UKCD Division of Pediatric Dentistry, in the division’s pre- and postdoctoral programs, patient care and research efforts.”

Bimstein was recruited in 2011 from the University of Florida to serve in his current position at UK. Originally from Mexico, he attended dental school at the Escuela de Odontología de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, completed a fellowship in pediatric dentistry at the Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine-Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel, and completed a fellowship in medical education at the University of Florida.

An accomplished and active clinician for more than 40 years, Bimstein treats children in both the ambulatory and operating room settings. He holds board certification in the United States as a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as specialty status in Israel as a specialist in pediatric dentistry through the Israeli Health Ministry.

He has authored over 100 peer reviewed publications with articles focusing on basic science research, clinical science research, and teaching methodology research. Additionally Bimstein has a highly regarded textbook on periodontal and gingival health issues and diseases among children and adolescents, and has contributed invited chapters to other textbooks. His areas of research interest include periodontal health and disease in children, child development, oral characteristics of children with special needs and dental education.

“Dr. Bimstein has been a clinician, teacher, and researcher in the field of pediatric dentistry since completing his specialty training in 1971. His experience, accomplishments, and commitment to pediatric dentistry fully support the intent of the new endowed chair position,” said UKCD Dean Sharon Turner.

Dr. John Mink, a UKCD founding faculty member in the Division of Pediatric Dentistry, played an instrumental role in recruiting core faculty members for pediatric dentistry and in helping to establish UKCD’s mobile dental program.

“The hard work and legacy of Dr. John Mink provided the foundation of a division characterized by excellence in teaching, research, and patient care. I am honored to follow and emphasize his legacy,” said Bimstein. 

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu