Valcanaia named director of the Division of Operative Dentistry

Andre Valcanaia, DDS, has been named director of the Division of Operative Dentistry, effective June 15. 

Valcanaia earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in Brazil, where he also completed advanced training in operative dentistry. In 2016, he completed a two-year Advanced Education Program in Computerized Dentistry at the University of Michigan.
Valcanaia worked in private practice for twelve years in Brazil. He was a clinical assistant professor at the Brazilian Association of Dental Surgeons and the Institute of Dental Sciences of the Americas in Brazil from 2003 to 2014. He then moved to Michigan, where he became a clinical assistant professor of cariology at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 2017, later becoming a clinical associate professor. Vancanaia became assistant director of the Graduate Program in Restorative Dentistry in 2019 and director of the Postgraduate Program in Restorative Dentistry in 2024.

With extensive experience in private clinical and faculty practice, Valcanaia has expertise in operative dentistry, implant restorations and digital dentistry. Since joining the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, he has played key roles in predoctoral, graduate, and postgraduate education and has held leadership positions as well as memberships in professional and research societies. His academic and clinical interests include operative dentistry, digital dentistry, dental materials, and evidence-based clinical care. He has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and scholarly work in restorative dentistry.
Outside of dentistry, he enjoys motorsports, windsurfing and water skiing, traveling, and is passionate about animals.

Valcanaia takes on the role from Gary Hildebrandt, DDS, MS, who has served as director of the division since 1999.

“Dr. Hildebrandt has been part of the School of Dentistry community for 30 years, and his service in writing, teaching, continuing education, assessment services and research have been invaluable,” shared Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, in an email to the school community announcing the news. “Please join me in thanking Dr. Hildebrandt for his service and welcoming Dr. Valcanaia to the school and the role.”