Dentistry News

The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry has appointed Diego Ardenghi, D.D.S., M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., as associate professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences, associate program director for Advanced Education in Prosthodontics, and head of the Prosthodontics Division.

A Canadian board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Ardenghi brings a combination of clinical excellence, academic leadership, and digitally driven practice experience to UAB. His appointment strengthens the school’s commitment to specialty education while expanding innovation in restorative care.

“Dr. Ardenghi brings an exceptional combination academic and clinical leadership to our department,” said Chin-Chuan Fu, D.D.S., M.S., chair of Restorative Sciences. “His international experience and demonstrated success in program development will strengthen our Advanced Education in Prosthodontics program while positioning our division for continued growth. We are excited about the vision he brings to advancing Prosthodontics specialty education and patient care at UAB.”

Ardenghi most recently served as Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where he taught in both the predoctoral dentistry and graduate prosthodontics programs. In parallel, he practiced in a fully digitalized Prosthodontics/Periodontics clinic, integrating advanced digital workflows into comprehensive patient care.

His academic preparation spans multiple countries and disciplines. Ardenghi earned his dental degree from the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil, followed by a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Victoria in Canada. He completed both his Master of Science and Diploma (Specialist in Prosthodontics) degree in Prosthodontics at the University of British Columbia. He later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan, where his research focused on leadership and dental school admissions, reflecting a sustained commitment to clinical excellence, educational strategy and academic governance.

Ardenghi has held significant leadership roles across North America, including Interim Associate Dean of Academics at the University of Saskatchewan, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Francisco, and Director of the Prosthodontics Division at the University of Florida. He is an active member of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), has served on multiple committees, and is a graduate of the ADEA 2024–2025 Emerging Leaders Program.

In addition to his leadership and clinical expertise, Ardenghi maintains an active research portfolio and has published extensively in the field of dentistry.

His arrival positions UAB to further elevate its Advanced Education in Prosthodontics program while expanding opportunities for innovation in digital dentistry, leadership development, and academic excellence within restorative sciences.