For Grace Anne Curcuru, a career in dentistry was a long and fulfilling journey, starting as an on-the-job trained dental assistant at age 16 while attending Regina High School in Harper Woods, Michigan. Upon completion of a one-year Certified Dental Assistant program at Macomb County Community College, Grace decided to further her education at the University of Michigan, graduating from the Dental Hygiene program in 1984. She worked in private practice, but knew the journey was far from over. She returned to the U-M Dental School, to complete a DDS in 1992, a GPR in Hospital Density in 1993 and the Periodontics Program in 1995.

Mandatory teaching while in the periodontics program opened the door to an academic career. Private practice was also rewarding; ultimately a combination of both was the right balance for Grace. She brings private practice and real life clinical experience to teaching on the clinic floor. Students know that she relates their clinical experiences to situations they will see daily in their future careers.

Grace is a member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society and the American Academy of Periodontics. She serves as Secretary/Editor of the MDA Foundation, Secretary of Macomb Dental Society, is a member of the Committee on Annual Session and co-chairs the Annual Session Table Clinic presentations.

Volunteering with the Parade Company each year is exciting, as they host one of the largest parades in the country, the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade.  Other volunteer events include River Days in Detroit, Superbowl XL, Winterblasts, Arts Beats & Eats Festivals, Cornerstone Schools Tiger Days, Concours de Elegance and the Senior Ford Players Golf Outing.

In her spare time Grace enjoys gardening and attends to several hundred Dahlias, perennials, annuals, herbs, and vegetables, as well as a mini orchard that includes 28 fruit trees including Honey crisp, golden delicious, red delicious, red roam apples, Bartlett pears, peaches and plums. With the gardens, her second pastime of photography is a natural fit. With all those delicious fruits, baking is made simple, pure and homegrown. You can always find fresh pies and tarts baking in the oven on the weekends.

The University of Michigan has enabled Dr. Grace Curcuru to pursue her passion of dentistry, both teaching and in private practice.  It allows time to serve dentistry as a leader and as a volunteer for the community, and time to enjoy giving back to nature in her garden.  Life is a journey, and the best is right around the bend.

We are very fortunate and appreciative to have Dr. Curcuru as part of our

POM clinic education team!