Melanie Simmer Beck, RDH, PhD

Melanie Simmer-Beck, PhD, RDH, is a Department Chair and Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, USA. She holds joint appointments in the departments of Dental Public Health and Behavioral Science and Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. Dr. Simmer-Beck uses her interdisciplinary background in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Public Affairs & Administration, and Dental Hygiene to teach courses in Ethics & Professionalism and Evidence-Based Decision Making, in addition to directing the dental pipeline program, STAHR Scholars Dentistry. Her research focuses on implementation science, program evaluation, access to oral health care, oral health disparities, dental workforce models and policy, and ergonomics. She has been the recipient of federal funds to move forward her research agenda. Dr. Simmer-Beck’s research has been presented at national and international professional meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Updated: April 2024