Bulletin of Dental Education Article

The global oral health education and health care community mourns the passing of our beloved colleague, mentor and friend, Jeanne C. Sinkford, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., FACD, FICD, ADEA Senior Scholar-in-Residence Emerita and Professor Emerita and Dean Emerita at Howard University College of Dentistry.

Jeanne C. Sinkford, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., FACD, FICD

Dr. Sinkford was an internationally recognized icon, trailblazer, luminary and accomplished leader as well as a personal adviser and friend to so many throughout the world. Although we collectively mourn her loss, we will continue to gain inspiration from her exceptional life and work.

Dr. Sinkford was an acclaimed dental educator, administrator, researcher and clinician. She finished first in the dental Class of 1958 at Howard University before pursuing graduate study at Northwestern University, where she received her M.S. (1962) and Ph.D. (1963). She completed a pedodontics residency at Children’s Hospital National Medical Center in 1975. Dr. Sinkford became the first woman dean of a U.S. dental school in 1975 and served until 1991.

Learn more about Dr. Sinkford’s life and career here as we remember this icon.

Published on November 12, 2025