Iconic Caries Researcher John Featherstone, MSc, PhD, Announces Retirement

John Featherstone, MSc, PhD, has announced he will retire in December as dean of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry and as professor of preventive and restorative dental sciences. The distinguished scholar and cariology researcher is perhaps best known for his role in developing the Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) protocol. This approach focuses on prevention and early diagnosis rather than surgical treatment of caries lesions, and is now taught at dental schools and widely applied in clinical practice. Featherstone’s specialized areas of study also include laser interactions with hard tissue.

The New Zealand native joined the UCSF faculty in 1995, and was named dean in 2008. Under his leadership, the School of Dentistry launched the UCSF Dental Center and maintained its top ranking in National Institutes of Health research funding.

“Under Dean Featherstone’s guidance, the School of Dentistry has become an international leader in biomedical research, while expanding its offerings that have put it on firm footing to provide exceptional training and care into the future,” notes UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS. “I am deeply grateful for his leadership, innovation and dedication.”

After retirement, Featherstone will continue to serve the school as professor emeritus.

From Decisions in Dentistry. April 2017;3(4):11.