Augusta University welcomes new chair of orthodontics department

Dr. Sarah Abu Arqub has joined the DCG as the new Chair of the Department of Orthodontics at Augusta University. Abu Arqub, a distinguished orthodontist with a wealth of experience in practice, education and research, brings not only an impressive resume but also an inspiring personal story to her new leadership role.

Drawn from the University of Florida to Augusta University by its sense of safety, natural beauty, and the warmth of our people, Abu Arqub said she immediately felt welcomed by the DCG community. She was especially impressed by the college’s mission and vision, and she singled out team members Hope Cason and Pamela Bales as being true gems during her transition.

“Sometimes your career leads you to places you don’t expect,” she said; and for her, Augusta feels like a perfect fit.

In her new role, Dr. Abu Arqub plans to foster a collaborative and inclusive departmental culture, strengthen relationships with other institutions, and enhance the resident experience through mentorship, innovation, and joy.

“I want them to have passion for orthodontics and for their learning to be inspired,” she said. “I want them to have fun while learning.”

She is a strong advocate for patient-centered, evidence-based, and digitized orthodontic care, and hopes to further develop Continuing Education opportunities while honoring the legacy of DCG’s past faculty—possibly through awards supporting clinical research in their names.

Abu Arqub’s path to this point was not an easy one. Before she was accepted into an orthodontic residency, she was denied several times. Rather than give up, she kept pushing forward – observing, researching, finding mentors and expanding her network.

“Perseverance is key,” she said.

That same spirit of resilience was tested again when, as an athlete and former marathoner, she suffered injuries that left her unable to walk. Through determination and six months of physical therapy, she made a full recovery. It’s a success that she attributes to “the power of the mind.”

Her personal mantra is inspired by Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality,” which she summarizes as, “to outwork everyone else.” For Abu Arqub, it’s about trusting the process, staying focused and giving everything your best effort.

Her research has already made an impact in dentistry, with more than 50 peer-reviewed publications on topics including clear aligner therapy, skeletal anchorage devices, intraoral scanners, AI in orthodontics and ethics in education and clinical practice. She also serves as a peer reviewer for leading journals. And through active membership in professional organizations such as the American Association of Orthodontists, the International Association for Dental Research and the Jordanian Dental Association, Abu Arqub remains deeply connected to the professional orthodontic community.

Outside of her career, Abu Arqub is also a former pianist and music lover with a deep appreciation for classic rock bands like The Eagles and Scorpions, as well as hits from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s.

Abu Arqub earned her dental degree from the University of Jordan in 2003. She then completed a master’s degree in dental science in orthodontics from the Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2007. Later, she attended the University of Connecticut (UConn) School of Dental Medicine twice, as a research fellow in the department of orthodontics in 2013, where also she earned   a second master’s degree in dental science and a certificate in orthodontics in 2019.

Her professional experience also includes 11 years in private practice in Jordan and most recently, serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida College of Dentistry.