Abdul-Rahim Tabbara D.D.S., FACP joined VCU School of Dentistry in January 2026 as an assistant professor in the Department of Prosthodontics.

Dr. Tabbara brings to VCU SoD a wealth of knowledge and experience. Prior to teaching, he worked in private practice at Tysons Corner Advanced Dental Center.  He received his D.D.S. at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, Lebanon and completed an advanced education program in Prosthodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2024. 

1. What led you to dentistry?

"Dentistry appealed to me because it is both intellectually demanding and highly technical. The balance of precision, critical thinking, and patient care is what initially drew me in and has kept me engaged throughout my career."

2. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

"The most rewarding part is the ability to change a person’s life by improving his overall quality of life and bring back a smile on their face."

3. What are you most looking forward to at VCU SoD?

"I’m most looking forward to engaging in an environment that encourages continuous learning, innovation, and thoughtful evolution in dental education. VCU SoD’s commitment to integrating evidence-based practice and new approaches to teaching is especially exciting to me as a faculty member."

4. What lessons and values do you hope to instill in your students?

"I hope to instill in my students the understanding that our work is always about people. When we remember the human impact of what we do, we naturally place care, responsibility, and quality above all else."