Sandra Al-Tarawneh, D.D.S., M.S., FACP has been appointed as interim chair of the Department of Prosthodontics at VCU School of Dentistry.

Al-Tarawneh joined VCU SoD in January 2024 as an associate professor and director of the Prosthodontics graduate program. Under her leadership, the program received its initial accreditation and welcomed its inaugural cohort. She has continued to lead and mentor Prosthodontics residents since the program’s beginning.

As interim chair of the Department of Prosthodontics, Al-Tarawneh steps into a broader leadership role and will oversee all Prosthodontics operations within VCU SoD. 

“It is a privilege to step into the role of interim chair for the Department of Prosthodontics at VCU School of Dentistry,” said Al-Tarawneh. “Having been part of the department, I have a deep appreciation for its people, its mission, and the work being done every day in education, patient care, and scholarship. I am excited for the opportunity to support our faculty, staff, students, and residents while helping the department continue to grow and move forward together.”

In her new role, Al-Tarawneh intends to maintain excellence in patient care while also strengthening education and collaboration.

“As a clinician, I want to continue advancing comprehensive, evidence-based prosthodontic care that improves patients’ quality of life. As an educator, I hope to mentor students and residents in developing not only strong clinical and technical skills, but also critical thinking, professionalism, and lifelong learning habits,” said Al-Tarawneh. “I also aim to support faculty development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continued innovation in digital dentistry and implant prosthodontics.”

She completed her Bachelor in Dentistry degree from the University of Jordan in 2004. In 2011, she completed her Prosthodontics Certificate and MS degree in Prosthodontics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After her residency, she completed a surgical implant fellowship at Chapel Hill and got her certification with the American Board of Prosthodontics. Her experience also includes working as an assistant professor at the University of Jordan, where she served as the head of the department of prosthodontics for 3 years. She moved to VCU School of Dentistry after serving as an associate professor and the associate director of the Graduate Advanced Prosthodontics Program at UIC College of Dentistry. 

Highly acclaimed in her field, Al-Tarawneh’s accomplishments extend outside of the classroom and clinic. Most recently in March 2026, she received the Academy of Osseointegration’s William R. Laney Award for her research article, “Comparing Single-Tooth Implant Placement With and Without Allogeneic Soft Tissue Augmentation: A Randomized Clinical Trial”. 

To Al-Tarawneh, being an educator is about leaving an impact and seeing her students and mentees grow.

“I chose to become an educator because teaching allows me to have a lasting impact beyond individual patient care,” said Al-Tarawneh. “One of the most rewarding aspects of academic dentistry is helping students and residents grow into confident, compassionate, and skilled clinicians. I have always valued mentorship and lifelong learning, and education provides an opportunity to contribute to the future of the profession while continuing to learn from colleagues, residents, and students every day.”