SIU SDM Launches New Graduate Periodontics Program

SIU SDM Launches New Graduate Periodontics Program

Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, Dean of SIU SDM, recently announced that the SIU School of Dental Medicine is launching its new Graduate Periodontics Program, as of July 1. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) discussed and granted an initial accreditation approval for the new program at SIU SDM at their meeting on February 5.

The new graduate specialty program at the SIU School of Dental Medicine has been in the planning and development stages for several years to achieve the initial accreditation status from CODA. The School has been very active over the past several months with the final details to launch the program for the 2026-2027 Academic Year.

On June 2, Drukteinis announced that a critical affiliation agreement to help make the new Graduate Periodontics Program more feasible at SIU SDM was finalized.

"I want to announce that we have officially formalized an affiliation with Alton Memorial Hospital in supporting an accredited Periodontics Residency Program on our campus," said Drukteinis. "SIU SDM will certainly benefit from this affiliation and be able to advance the health of our community with the addition of this service."

Drukteinis added, "I'd like to thank SIUE Chancellor Minor and SIUE Provost Cobb for supporting this affiliation, as well as all the faculty and staff who worked to help put this program together."

Soon thereafter, on June 5, Drukteinis announced that Mohamed Omran-Alfaituori, BDS, MS, would serve as Program Director of Graduate Periodontics at SIU SDM. Omran-Alfaituori had been serving as the Director of the Implant Dentistry Fellowship Program at SIU SDM before accepting this new role.

"I want to thank Dr. Omran for taking on this critical role at SIU SDM," said Drukteinis. "He is uniquely qualified to help us launch this new program and to help ensure that it succeeds."

In turn, Omran was able to formally extend an offer to two dentists to become the inaugural set of Graduate Periodontics residents at SIU SDM.

"I am happy to announce that Jay Niebrugge and Younghye Heo have accepted positions in our Graduate Periodontics Residency Program. We look forward to their contributions to our program and community," said Omran.

Jay Niebrugge, DMD, graduated with the SIU SDM Class of 2026. His mother, Margaret Mary Niebrugge, DMD, graduated from SIU SDM with the Class of 1986. Dr. Younghye Heo, DMD, is presently completing her Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at SIU SDM. She graduated with the SIU SDM Class of 2025.

"I am excited to continue my education at SIU and to be part of a program that will expand access to periodontal care for the Alton community and surrounding areas," said Niebrugge.

Heo shared her feelings of honor and responsibility as an inaugural resident of the new SIU SDM Graduate Periodontics Program.

"As one of the first residents of this new program, I feel both honored and responsible," said Heo. "I hope to set a strong foundation by giving my very best, helping establish a positive path and making the journey a little smoother for the residents who will follow. I look forward to learning, growing, and contributing to a program that will continue to thrive for years to come."

PHOTOS: Mohamed Omran-Alfaituori, B.D.S., M.S.; Jay Niebrugge, DMD; Younghye Heo, DMD