Dr. Mays is the Associate Dean of
Academic Affairs and Associate Professor in the Department of Restorative
Sciences, Division of Prosthodontics at the University of Minnesota School of
Dentistry.
Dr. Mays earned a B.S. from Morgan
State University, and then went on to earn a D.D.S. from the University of
Michigan School of Dentistry. He then completed a one-year General Practice
Residency at the University of Michigan Hospital and Clinics. He received a certificate
and an M.S. in prosthodontics from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry
& Dental Clinics and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland School of
Dentistry (UMSOD). He also practiced general dentistry as an associate, and
co-owner of his own practice, and has maintained a faculty practice while in
academics.
Dr. Mays has served as the
Division Director of Prosthodontics at East Carolina University School of
Dental Medicine, as well as, the Assistant Director of the General Practice
residency at the UMSOD. He has served as Course Director for several
prosthodontic courses, seminar coordinator for general practice residency, and
a prosthodontic faculty member in clinic and pre-clinic. His academic career has
also included student advising, private faculty practice, university and
community service, and service to dental organizations. Dr. Mays currently serves
as a member of the ADEA Annual Session Planning Committee and the Policy
Research Advisory Committee, a member of the National Dental Association
Subcommittee on Research, as well as other task force and committees within
organized dentistry.
Dr. Mays has several research
interests that relate to improving patient outcomes and improving pedagogical
methodologies. His clinical research interests are focused on improving oral
motor function, specifically investigating compensatory movements of the tongue
and jaw during speech, swallowing and mastication. His educational research
interests involves investigating the use of CAD/CAM as an assessment tool in
preclinical dental education, self-assessment as a feedback elements that
promotes lifelong learning, and enhancing community based dental experiences
for students. Dr. Mays has written manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and
presented his research finding at national meetings. He also is an active
reviewer for peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Mays is an active mentor for students
and student organizations. He has served as the Faculty advisor for the Student
National Dental Association. He has served as a committee member for Master’s
students working on theses for dental specialty training. He is a member of the
American Association of Dental Research, American College of Prosthodontics,
American Dental Association, American Dental Education Association,
International Association of Dental Research, the National Dental Association,
and the Minnesota Dental Association.