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Gary H. Westerman, DDS
Professor and Chair, Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, School
of Dentistry
Faculty Associate, Center for Health Policy and Ethics
DDS, 1969, Creighton University
MS, 1973, University of Iowa
BS, 1966, Gonzaga University
Dr. Gary Westerman
Creighton University Medical Center
School of Dentistry
Boyne 313A
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
(402) 280-5001 tel
ghwester@creighton.edu
Biography
Dr. Gary Westerman received his DDS degree from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 1969. After completing a specialty program in pedodontics in 1973 at the University of Iowa where he earned an Master of Science degree, he joined the Creighton University School of Dentistry faculty.
Currently, Dr. Westerman is Professor and Chair of the Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry. He has a secondary appointment in the School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics and has been a Faculty Associate in the Center for Health Policy and Ethics since the Fall of 1998. Dr. Westerman has membership affiliations with Children's Hospital and with Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha.
Dr. Westerman's research involves dental behavioral science topics in collaboration with Creighton University's Counseling and Psychological Services and dental laser technology in the area of dental caries inhibition.
Dr. Westerman is the second chairholder of the Oscar S. Belzer Endowed Chair in Dentistry at Creighton University. His present academic duties include the coordination of community and preventive dentistry activities of the School of Dentistry.
While Dr. Westerman has enjoyed a remarkable academic and research career, he also has been extensively engaged in service to the dental profession and the community. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Omaha District Dental Society since 1973, serving as Secretary from 1984-1992 and Treasurer since 1992. He serves in the House of Delegates and Board of Trustees of the Nebraska Dental Association since 1984 and has been Speaker of the House from 1995-2003 and Treasurer since 2003. Dr. Westerman has been an Advisor to the Mid-American Council of the Boy Scouts of America since 1976, is past-President of the Indian-Chicano Health Center Board of Directors, and a past member of the Board of both the Douglas-Sarpy County and the Nebraska Division of the American Cancer Society. He also has coordinated many of the service activities performed in the Omaha area by Creighton dental students.
Dr. Westerman has been to Russia four times with a delegation of visiting health care professionals in conjunction with Council Bluffs' Sister Cities Program. With all these activities Dr. Westerman also maintains a private dental practice in Omaha.