New Faculty Spotlight
Manal Hamdan, DDS, MS
Director and Assistant Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Adult Restorative Dentistry
Background:
I received my dental degree from the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan in 2015, ranking first in my class. I decided to advance my career in general dentistry by completing a one-year internship at the Jordan University Hospital, followed by a year of private general practice in Amman. I then opted to take the exam to receive the Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
In 2017, I was appointed as an oral and maxillofacial radiology teaching and research assistant at my alma mater. It was then that I was sure I wanted to pursue an academic career in oral and maxillofacial radiology. A year later, I took NBDEs part 1 and 2 and joined the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Adams School of Dentistry to begin my oral and maxillofacial radiology training.
I recently received my Master of Science and certificate in oral and maxillofacial radiology. During my time at the Adams School of Dentistry, I was tremendously privileged to be able to work with the best in the field and to have the opportunity to teach dental and dental hygiene students. I also was fortunate to receive the Ann and G. Randolph Babcock Fellowship and the Elsie and Baxter Sapp Fellowship.
How I fell in love with dentistry:
I wish I could say it was love at first wax-up! I had to work really hard to build my hand skills. Fortunately, I fell in love with the diagnostic aspect of dentistry and the human interaction and patient care. Ultimately, this worked in my benefit and led me to choose my right path.
Research/professional interests:
My research interests include applications of artificial intelligence in dentistry and stationary intraoral tomosynthesis. My master's degree research focused on detecting apical radiolucencies on periapical radiographs using deep learning technology. I received two awards for my work from the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology during their 2020 annual meeting: the Albert G. Richards Graduate Student Research Award and Best Research Poster Award.
Hometown:
I grew up in the United Arab Emirates. I moved back to Jordan, my home country, to begin my college education when I was 18 years old.
My family:
I’m married to a great husband and father, Dr. Zaid Badr. We met in college 11 years ago and fell in love. We recently had our first baby boy. He’ll be four months old in July. I would say our family is loud and all over the place, but very happy and tight-knit!
Favorite thing to do on a day off:
Catching up with my parents on Skype calls and spending time with my baby boy and husband. And getting take-out food!
Unique things about me:
I like to believe that I am an out-of-the-box thinker. I’m also very patient and a good listener!
What I'm most looking forward to about working at the college:
Getting to meet the wonderful people that make this school great! I also can’t wait to start teaching. I’ve so missed in-person classes during the pandemic.
Professional memberships:
- American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- American Dental Association
- American Society of Head & Neck Radiology
- Faculty of Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Jordanian Dental Association
- North Carolina Dental Society
