DCG welcomes Dr. S. Prem Premaraj as chair of Orthodontics

For Dr. S. Prem Premaraj, BDS, MS, PhD, FRCD(C), orthodontics is more than a profession. It is a family tradition.

Premaraj, the new chair of the Department of Orthodontics at the Dental College of Georgia, has spent more than two decades teaching, treating patients, conducting research and mentoring the next generation of orthodontists. His wife is an orthodontist. His daughter is an orthodontist, too.

Now, as he begins his new role at the DCG, Premaraj is bringing that deep professional experience and a lifelong connection to the specialty to a department he hopes to help strengthen, grow and prepare for the future.

With more than two decades of experience in orthodontic education, clinical care, research and academic leadership, Premaraj joins DCG from Nova Southeastern University, where he served as chair and professor of orthodontics. Previously, he spent 15 years at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, serving as professor, vice chair and director of the Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics. Premaraj earned a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, and both a PhD and a Certificate in Orthodontics from The Ohio State University.

Across those roles, one part of the job has remained particularly meaningful to Premaraj: mentoring the next generation of orthodontists.

After more than 20 years of teaching orthodontic residents in the United States, he said helping trainees develop into thoughtful, capable clinicians remains one of the most rewarding aspects of his work.

For Premaraj, that means preparing residents to do more than master the technical aspects of orthodontic treatment.

“In orthodontics, I want us to prepare residents who can critically evaluate evidence, exercise sound clinical judgment, and adapt throughout their careers,” he said.

That philosophy reflects Premaraj’s broader approach to orthodontic education. He sees the strongest academic programs as places where education, research and clinical care inform one another, giving trainees opportunities to apply what they learn while developing the judgment they will need throughout their careers.

At the DCG, Premaraj said he was drawn to the opportunity to build on the orthodontic department’s strengths while bringing his experience in education, research and clinical care to the college.

“I enjoy mentoring residents and working with colleagues toward shared goals, and this position offers a meaningful opportunity to do both,” he said.

The move to Augusta also brings him closer to family in Florida, making the opportunity especially appealing.

As he begins his new role, Premaraj plans to start by listening.

“My first priority is to listen and learn from our faculty, staff and residents, to understand what is working well and where we can improve,” he said.

From there, he plans to strengthen resident education, support faculty development, encourage meaningful research and ensure excellent patient care. Preparing together for the DCG’s upcoming accreditation site visit is also an immediate priority.

Although he is still getting to know DCG, Premaraj said he has already appreciated the welcome he has received from colleagues.

“I value a culture in which people support one another and share a commitment to educating future dentists and specialists while caring for the community,” he said.

As chair, Premaraj will lead the Department of Orthodontics’ educational, clinical and research missions, working with faculty, staff, residents, students and colleagues across DCG to advance orthodontic education and patient care.