Dr. John I. Ingle initiated the Graduate Endodontics Program at the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 1959. Having the foresight to recognize the future role of endodontics in dental health care, Dr. Ingle set as the goals of the program the development of clinicians of demonstrable expertise, able teachers and knowledgeable researchers. He began a long standing tradition of excellence which continues to date. Dr. Eugene Natkin was Chair of the Department of Endodontics for sixteen years. Dr. Gerald Harrington became Chair in 1993. These two gentlemen have been responsible for enhancing the reputation of the program.
Many outstanding clinicians, teachers, and researchers are graduates of the program. These include Henry Van Hassel, former Editor of the Journal of Endodontics, former Dean of Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry and former President of the American Association of Endodontists; Dr. James Steiner, Associate Dean for Student Services, Admissions, and Outreach and a faculty member in the program here at the University of Washington; John Ludington, former Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston; John Diggens, former President of the Canadian Dental Association; James McGraw, former President of the American Association of Endodontists and former Vice President of the American Dental Association; Mahmoud Torabinejad, Director of the Graduate Endodontics Program at Loma Linda University, co-author of a current textbook on Endodontics and past President of the American Association of Endodontics; Paul Lovdahl, also co-author of current text on Endodontics and a faculty member in the program here at the University of Washington; David Pitts, Associate Professor here at the University of Washington; Jeffrey Coil, Head of the Endodontics Division at the University of British Columbia; Eugene Natkin, Professor Emeritus, who taught in the Graduate Endodontics Program here at the University of Washington until his retirement in 2001; and Gerald W. Harrington, Professor who was the Graduate Endodontics Program Director for 29 years.
The current full-time faculty includes: Dr. James D. Johnson, who became Chair and Graduate Endodontics Program Director in 2003; Dr. Natasha Flake; Dr. Avina Paranjpe; and Dr. Derrick Wang.
The program maintains an outstanding national and international reputation, and the consistently high caliber of the program continues to attract well qualified applicants from around the world.