Welcome Back John O. Burgess, DDS, MS

We are grateful and honored to welcome Dr. John Burgess to LSU Health School of Dentistry as a faculty member in the Department of Prosthodontics and as the school’s Director of Clinical Research. Prior to re-joining LSUSD earlier this year, he served as professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry and as the Assistant Dean of Clinical Research in the UAB Institute of Oral Health Research for the past 16 years.

Before joining UAB, Dr. Burgess served as chair of the LSUSD Department of Comprehensive Dentistry and Biomaterials and as the school’s assistant dean of clinical research. Because of his efforts, LSUSD launched a successful clinical research endeavor in the years leading up to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

During his Air Force military career, Dr. Burgess chaired the Department of Dental Research at Wilford Hall Medical Center, directed research and dental materials at Wilford Hall and directed the General Practice Residency Program at Sheppard AFB. He was a military consultant in general dentistry to the Air Force Surgeon General.

Dr. Burgess is a graduate of Emory University School of Dentistry and received his MS in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Dental Branch, in Houston, Texas. He completed both a one- and two-year General Practice Residency in the U.S. Air Force.


A prolific researcher, Dr. Burgess has published more than 400 articles, abstracts and textbook chapters. He reviews for four dental journals and is a member of the advisory board for the Dental Advisor and editorial board for Inside Dentistry. He is past chair of the Biomaterials Section of the American Association for Dental Research and lectures extensively nationally and internationally, presenting more than 1,000 continuing education courses. Dr. Burgess has received certification from the American Board of Dentistry and is a diplomate of the Federal Services Board of Dentistry. With his prolific research record and outstanding academic credentials, Dr. Burgess will be an invaluable asset to our school.

 Change in Leadership for Perio Residency Program

 In August 2022, Dr. Dragonas assumed the position of Director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontics.

Dr. Pooja Maney is moving to Houston to join the faculty at UT Health School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontics & Dental Hygiene.

Dr. Dragonas stated, “It is a great honor that the Department has entrusted me with such a position. It means a lot to me both from a personal and a professional standpoint. It comes though with great responsibility. The program has flourished under the leadership of Dr. Palaiologou and Dr. Maney and I am planning to build upon their work.”

Dr. Maney said, “Being part of the faculty at LSUSD since 2009 has been a wonderful experience for me. I am truly grateful for the opportunities I received here to learn and grow in my career as an educator and a clinician. The opportunity to serve as the program director of the LSU postgraduate perio program since 2018, has been a real honor. Despite all the challenges, I have thoroughly enjoyed leading this great program and have learned a lot! I am so proud of all the successes in the program during my tenure here. Our program continues to prepare outstanding young periodontists, has maintained a 100% pass rate on the ABP examination, consistently wins research awards and actively publishes resident research. I am going to really miss my awesome residents, my faculty colleagues within the department and at the school, and our staff members. I am truly grateful for the support that they have provided me during my tenure here. The LSU Perio program is outstanding and I am sure that it will remain that way in the capable hands of Dr. Dragonas and Dr. Evans.”

According to Dr. Gerald Evans, Chairman of the Periodontics Department, Dr. Maney has done a great job in her 13 years with our department. Dr. Evans said, “I wish Dr. Maney all the best as she begins a new chapter in her academic career. I truly appreciate everything she has done to make and keep LSU one of the top periodontal programs in the country.

Dr. Maney has worked tirelessly as Program Director and we will miss her greatly in the days ahead. Fortunately, we are blessed to have another very capable faculty member in Dr. Dragonas. I have complete confidence that Dr. Dragonas will soon become the next outstanding Program Director of LSU Perio.” Please join us in wishing both Drs. Dragonas and Maney success in their new positions!

 Putting Residents First

 The LSU Health School of Dentistry Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) has secured a donation of just over $100,000 from the Jack Kent Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation (JKOMSF) to support the budgetary needs of the OMS residents. The board of the Jack Kent Foundation is comprised of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons who have committed to helping LSUSD put its residents first.

The donation will cover licensure and testing requirements, travel stipends and a tuition grant for residents. Interim Head of OMS, Dr. Earl Peter Park says, “this donation puts the residents and education at the forefront. It speaks to a commitment to our storied tradition of excellence in our training program. It is the reason we are here.”

JKOMFS was formed by a group of alumni of the LSU Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program in New Orleans. Its purpose is to support and strengthen LSU OMS departmental education, research, and service missions of the postdoctoral program. In 2009 Eric Geist, DDS, FACS, and John (Jack) N. Kent, DDS, FACD, FICD, established the foundation.

Dr. Kent served as head of OMS at LSU Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry and chief of OMS at the Medical Center of Louisiana (Charity Hospital) in New Orleans from 1973 – 2002 and 2003 - 2008. He also served as head of the OMS Division of Surgery at the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport, from 1978-2003. Dr. Geist received his DDS from LSUSD in 1979 and one year later he completed his internship at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. He completed his OMS residency from LSU Medical Center in New Orleans in 1984. In 2011,

Dr. Geist received the outstanding alumnus of the year award from LSUSD. In 2016 Dr. Kent received a “first ever” Life Time Achievement Award from LSUSD. Dr. Kent and Geist have both served as President of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dr. Geist also served as President of the American Association of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery.