Ann Arbor, MI — September 29, 2009 — Dr. Philip Richards, clinical professor of dentistry with the University of Michigan School of Dentistry’s Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, has received a major teaching award from the American Academy of Periodontology. 

Richards, who also directs the School’s predoctoral periodontics curriculum, recently received AAP’s Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award for 2009.  According to department chair, Dr. Laurie McCauley, the award “is given to the periodontal educator who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence” and conveys knowledge and enthusiasm to students in clinics.  Richards also received the award in 2005.

The students notice and appreciate his commitment to excellence, both in the classroom and in clinics.  Many students have praised Richards for “his passion for educating students,” “treating us as colleagues,” and “his willingness and ability to share his knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for dentistry.” 

“This award does have special significance for me,” Richards said, “because it’s based on nominations and votes of support from faculty members who are my colleagues in this department.”

Richards talked about his ability to “connect” with students in a feature that appeared in the Fall 2002 issue of DentalUM, the School of Dentistry’s alumni magazine.  “I really work hard to treat students as professional colleagues from day one,” he said.   “I have also tried adjusting their styles when possible so I can connect with them.”

Richards, who earned his dental degree from U-M in 1984 and a master’s degree in periodontics four years later, has received numerous teaching awards previously.  Ten times he received the School’s Paul Gibbons Award for outstanding teaching and 11 times was named Instructor of the Year.  Those awards were bestowed by dental students.

Contact: Sharon Grayden, Communications Director (734) 615-2600, dentistry.communications@umich.edu, or Jerry Mastey, Editor, School of Dentistry (734) 615-1971, jmastey@umich.edu.