UNC School of Dentistry grad receives top honor

Dr. Charles Norman discovered his passion for medicine in his first year at the UNC School of Dentistry.

And now, 35 years after he graduated from the school, Norman has been elected president-elect of the American Dental Association, one of the world’s premiere organizations in the field.

And Norman is just as enthusiastic about the field as when he started.

“It’s when you go into your clinic for that first time that you get a grasp of how much responsibility you have — and it is such a rewarding experience,” Norman said.

He will serve as the 2012-13 president-elect for the ADA, and he will assume the role of president for the 2013-14 year.

“When you have been doing something and you find out you have succeeded, it is just thrilling,” Norman said.

Norman has been practicing dentistry for 35 years. He graduated from the UNC School of Dentistry in 1977.

He began his campaign for president-elect last year when his term as a trustee with the ADA came to an end.

“When you are finishing, you can decide if you are going to run for office or if you are going to back away,” Norman said.

“I knew it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I felt like I could make a difference for our members and that is why I made the decision to run.”

Norman will spend his term as president-elect traveling around the world, supporting the president of the ADA and overseeing various programs within the organization.

Norman remained involved with UNC’s School of Dentistry after graduating, serving on board of the Dental Foundation of North Carolina for one year and then advancing to the position of president for two years. The foundation is the nonprofit arm of UNC’s dentistry school.

Paul Gardner, executive director of the foundation, said the recognition Norman has received is very meaningful for the School of Dentistry.

“It means a lot to the school, and it means a lot more to Chuck,” Gardner said.

“It means a lot to us because we are so glad for one of our graduates to obtain this position — it’s certainly one of the top honors for anyone in organized dentistry.”

Gardner, who has known Norman for almost 15 years, said Norman is one of the nicest people he has ever met.

“I have talked with dentists who think very highly of him and they just rave about him personally as well as professionally,” he said.
Tiffany Brannan, spokeswoman for UNC’s School of Dentistry, said in an email that she, too, is enthusiastic about Norman’s election.

“We’re all proud of his accomplishment and look forward to all his good work with the ADA,” Brannan said.

Gardner agreed.

“We are really proud of him,” he said. “And, it reflects well upon the school.”

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