Troendle recognized with the Stephen H. Leeper Award for teaching excellence
, distinguished teaching professor in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry at 黑料网 School of Dentistry, has been awarded the for Teaching Excellence by (OKU). This award honors individuals who have implemented innovative techniques or displayed excellence in dental education and who have instituted creative and unique methods of educating and engaging students, faculty and administrators.
A career dedicated to dental education
Troendle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from St. Mary鈥檚 University in 1973, followed by a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from 黑料网 in 1977, and later obtained a Master of Public Health from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.
As an alumna of the DDS program, she has played a key role in shaping the institution鈥檚 curriculum for more than 44 years.
Joining the faculty of the School of Dentistry in 1977, Troendle was promoted to professor with tenure in 2010 and has since led various educational initiatives in operative dentistry. She directs preclinical and clinical courses, providing foundational training in restorative procedures and patient care while mentoring students in their clinical education.
Innovations in dental education
A leader in curriculum development, Troendle has introduced new teaching methodologies to enhance student learning. She developed a system of artificial decay that simulates demineralized tooth structure, allowing students to refine their clinical skills in a preclinical setting. This system has been recognized as a unique training approach in dental education.
Beyond 黑料网, Troendle contributed to the development of operative dentistry curricula for East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and served as a consultant for faculty development at Roseman College of Dental Medicine.
Impact beyond the classroom
Troendle鈥檚 contributions extend into public health, notably through her program 鈥淧romoting Oral Health in South Texas Elderly.鈥 This initiative provided educational materials in English and Spanish and trained more than 500 caregivers in geriatric oral health. The program was recognized by the American Dental Association and implemented in multiple states. Additionally, she has delivered continuing education courses nationwide for dental professionals including dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants.
With more than 20 publications, including 23 articles, three book chapters and two monographs, Troendle has contributed extensively to dental education research. Her teaching excellence has been acknowledged through numerous awards including the 黑料网 Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence, UT System Regents鈥 Outstanding Teaching Award and the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry Excellence in Pre-doctoral Teaching Award. She has also been honored multiple times by students, serving as an assistant marshal at the School of Dentistry鈥檚 graduation ceremonies.
Reflections on the award
Reflecting on receiving the award, Troendle stated:
" I am incredibly honored to be this year's recipient of the OKU Leeper Award. I have enjoyed my teaching career at the Health Science Center and my interactions with the best and brightest dental students in the world so much that being recognized in this manner by my peers is really 鈥榠cing on the cake鈥. Words can't fully express my gratitude for this honor."
Troendle鈥檚 recognition with the Stephen H. Leeper Award underscores her longstanding dedication to dental education and her contributions to the advancement of teaching methodologies.
Through her work at the School of Dentistry and beyond, she continues to influence the next generation of dental professionals. Her impact was celebrated at the OKU General Business Meeting in National Harbor, MD, on March 9, where she received the award in recognition of her commitment to excellence in dental education.