Dean of North Carolina’s First Private Dental School Departs Suddenly

High Point University Workman School of Dental Medicine, the only private dental school in North Carolina, faces leadership changes as the founding dean, Scott De Rossi, DMD, MBA, departs shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony. The university has appointed Muhammad Ali Shazib, DMD, formerly the chief clinical officer and assistant dean for practice, as the new dean. The dental school, set to welcome its first students in the fall of 2024, aims to provide innovative education with state-of-the-art technology. The reasons behind De Rossi’s departure remain unclear. The dental school, part of High Point University Health, plans to establish a network of dental offices within a 65-mile radius to offer practical experience for students. Revenue generated from these offices will contribute to offsetting operational costs. Despite initial plans to open in 2023, accreditation delays during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the school’s opening date to 2024. Click here to read more.