The Department of Restorative Dentistry is pleased to announce the appointment of prosthodontist Dr. Francisco Azpiazu as a new full-time faculty member and assistant professor.

Dr. Azpiazu is originally from Nicaragua. His education includes a dental surgery degree from the Autonomous University of Nicaragua, a two-year certificate in advanced education in general dentistry from the University of Connecticut, a certificate in prosthodontics and a master of science from Ohio State University.

Currently, he works as an assistant professor at the Dr. Gerard Niznick College of Dentistry, and the Centre for Community Oral Health. His duties include supervising the clinical session of third- and fourth-year dental students, co-ordinating the fixed prosthodontics course and treating geriatric patients at multiple senior home care facilities across Winnipeg.

Dr. Azpiazu created a digital teeth library for implant planning and CAD-CAM fabrication of dental prostheses. Additionally, his clinical work and research has been published in peer-reviewed prosthodontic and dental technology journals. His research interests include using CAD-CAM technologies and dental implants to manage complex oral rehabilitations, and studying the interaction of contemporary CAD-CAM materials with dental materials commonly used in the dental clinic.