Stephen Mitchell

Stephen Mitchell is a Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry and an Associate Professor in the UAB School of Medicine's Pediatric - Developmental & Behavioral department. He serves as Director of the Sparks Dental Clinic, specializing in care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and has held leadership roles in academic accreditation and interprofessional education since 2000.

• Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), UAB (1995)
• Certificates in Advanced General Dentistry (1996), Pediatric Dentistry (2000), and Cariology (2000)
• Master's in Oral Biology, UAB (2001)

Mitchell's research focuses on:

• Dental care for special needs populations
• Community-based dental education
• Dental pulp therapy in pediatric patients
• Transmission dynamics of oral pathogens like Streptococcus mutans

His recent work analyzes dental students' preparedness for treating underserved populations, compares pulpotomy agents in pediatric dentistry, and investigates bacterial transmission patterns in caries. Notably, he advocates for interprofessional collaboration in maternal/child oral health.

Scientific recognition includes the ALDA Most Excellent Fellow (2010). He mentors through graduate course instruction (Cariology, Special Patient Care) and thesis committee roles. Grants address public health dentistry, including HRSA-funded training programs and partnerships with United Cerebral Palsy.