This week, the University of Connecticut’s Interim Provost Pamir Alpay announced that Dr. Steven Lepowsky has been reappointed for a second five-year term as Dean of the School of Dental Medicine.
Lepowsky served as the interim dean in 2020 and was permanently appointed in 2021.
“Dean Lepowsky has led the School of Dental Medicine with steady, principled leadership through a period of both significant challenge and growth,” said Alpay in the announcement. “He guided the School through the COVID‑19 pandemic while working to strengthen academic programs, clinical operations, research outlook, and statewide partnerships. His transparent, collaborative approach has reinforced an effective and mission‑driven academic community.”
“During this time, the School has achieved exceptional outcomes,” Alpay continued. “Students graduated on time throughout the pandemic, and the School earned a remarkable result in its 2023 Commission on Dental Accreditation review. Admissions have become increasingly competitive, and faculty development has expanded through the creation of the School’s first Office of Faculty Affairs.”
Lepowsky is also applauded for leading the School as its research enterprise continues to excel. Ranking among the top 10 U.S. dental schools in NIH funding for four consecutive years, the School has seen consistent growth in grant applications and awards, increases in invention disclosures and patent activity, and the recruitment of new research-intensive faculty. Lepowsky has also supported the transition of postdoctoral trainees to early-stage faculty roles and advanced cross-unit collaborations, including biomedical engineering initiatives and a developing partnership with ADA/Forsyth, to expand team science, grant opportunities, and graduate education.
Clinical activity has also grown steadily year over year under Lepowsky’s leadership, supported by the establishment of the School’s inaugural quality and safety officer and major expansion of digital dentistry through philanthropy. As Connecticut’s largest safety-net dental provider, the School has expanded its service mission through partnerships with community health centers; collaboration with the Department of Developmental Services; an affiliation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, including on-site care and participation in Stand Down events; and a care and training partnership with the Hospital for Special Care. In collaboration with the Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach, the School hosted the CT Mission of Mercy in 2023 for the first time in UConn’s history.
Philanthropic support has also increased substantially, with the School meeting or exceeding its fundraising goals each year and surpassing $1 million in annual giving for the first time. Significant corporate and foundation partnerships, including multi-year support from the Delta Dental Foundation, have advanced clinical innovation, special care dentistry, and programs serving Connecticut veterans.
“I am truly honored to be reappointed as dean of the UConn School of Dental Medicine,” Lepowsky said. “The School’s success is a reflection of an amazing community of learners, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners, and I sincerely appreciate their support as well as that of the leadership of the University and of UConn Health. I look forward to building upon our great history of outstanding educational programs, delivery of the highest quality of patient care, discovery of new knowledge, and promotion of health through service and outreach.”
Lepowsky has been at UConn since 1993. He previously served as senior associate dean for education and patient care, associate dean for clinical affairs, chair of the division of general dentistry, and as the director of the advanced education in general dentistry residency program. Lepowsky earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery and subsequently completed a residency program in general dentistry at Booth Memorial Medical Center in New York. Prior to his work at UConn, he was on the faculty at Columbia University where he served as the director of the general dentistry residency program as well as the director of the year three clinical program.
