Current Staff
Kim Diefenderfer, DMD, MS, MS is Editor-in-Chief. Dr. Diefenderfer earned his DMD at the University of Pittsburgh and MS degrees in Operative Dentistry and Dental Public Health at the University of Iowa. He retired from the faculty of the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2023 as a Clinical Associate Professor, Division Director of Operative Dentistry, and one of three faculty in the Graduate Cariology and Operative Dentistry Program. Prior to his time at IU, he served in the US Navy Dental Corps, culminating in an appointment as professor of Research and Clinical Investigations at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, Bethesda, Maryland. He retired from the US Navy at the rank of Captain (O-6) after 30 years of active duty service. He is board certified in Operative Dentistry and served concurrently as an Executive Councilor (24 years), Treasurer (18 years), and Chairman, Examination and Certification Committee (15 years) for the American Board of Operative Dentistry, having passed on those duties in 2026. He currently serves as a clinical examiner for the American Board of Dental Examiners. Prior to his editorship, Dr. Diefenderfer served as an Associate Editor from 2015 to 2024.
Matthew Rouse DDS, MS is Managing Editor of the journal. He is a native of Williamsport, Maryland and earned magna cum laude honors while completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He subsequently earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 2011.
Dr. Rouse completed advanced training in general dentistry and postgraduate training in operative and preventive dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry, where he earned a Master of Science in Dentistry. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Operative Dentistry (ABOD) and has published clinical research.
Dr. Rouse currently serves as an executive councilor and examination committee chair for ABOD. He also serves as a postgraduate year-one site visitor for the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Dr. Rouse resides in Chesapeake, Virginia, with his wife, Kate, and their six daughter.
Timothy Carlson DDS, MSD is Immediate Past Managing Editor.
Dr. Carlson earned his DDS degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) in 1978, graduating with High Distinction. After serving the Bethesda Medical and Dental clinic in Vaudreuil, Haiti, he returned to IUSD in 1980 as an Assistant Professor of Operative Dentistry. He earned an MSD in IUSD’s Operative Dentistry program in 1986. After 38 years of service and part-time private practice, Dr. Carlson retired from IUSD in 2018 and is an Emeritus Professor.
Dr Carlson served as managing Editor for Operative Dentistry for over 26 years and he continues to serve as a trusted advisor.
Camila Sabatini, DDS, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. She also holds adjunct appointments in oral biology and chemical and biological engineering, reflecting the interdisciplinary scope of her work. Dr. Sabatini’s research integrates restorative dentistry, biomaterials, and regenerative medicine, with particular emphasis on bioactive restorative materials, antibacterial resins, dental pulp stem cells, and biologically based therapies for repair of the pulp-dentin complex.
Dr. Sabatini joined the University at Buffalo faculty in 2007 and was promoted to associate professor in 2015. Her research has received support from the National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In 2024, she received a four-year Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program award to investigate innovative strategies for regenerating damaged dental tissues and potentially reducing the need for conventional root canal therapy.
Through collaborative, translational research, Dr. Sabatini seeks to advance durable restorative materials and develop clinically relevant regenerative approaches that preserve tooth vitality and improve patient care.
Dr. Sabatini has served as an Associate Editor since 2017.
Ricardo "Rick" Walter DDS MS is Associate Editor. Dr. Walter is Professor of Operative Dentistry at High Point University’s Workman School of Dental Medicine. A clinician, researcher, and educator with more than 20 years of experience in dental education, he earned his DDS from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Brazil and his MS in Operative Dentistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Walter’s research includes clinical trials and retrospective studies in restorative dentistry, particularly the performance and longevity of dental materials and techniques. His work also explores prevention, minimally invasive dentistry, oral and systemic health, and artificial intelligence in dentistry. He has taught and directed clinical courses with a focus on evidence-based decision-making and patient care.
Dr. Walter serves as Associate Editor of Operative Dentistry and Co-editor of Sturdevant’s Art and Science of Operative Dentistry, bringing clinical, research, teaching, and editorial experience to the evaluation of restorative dentistry scholarship
Bert Vasconcellos, DDS, MS, PhD, is Dr. Clifford M. Sturdevant Distinguished Professor and Director of the Graduate and Predoctoral Programs of Operative Dentistry & Biomaterials at the University of North Carolina, Adams School of Dentistry. Dr. Vasconcellos earned his certificate/MS in Prosthodontics and PhD in Operative Dentistry from the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil, in 1999 and 2001, respectively. He completed his two-year postdoctoral training in Operative Dentistry in 2016 at UNC Adams School of Dentistry and is licensed to practice Dentistry in the State of North Carolina. Before joining the Faculty at UNC in 2018, Dr. Vasconcellos served as a tenured Full Professor of Operative Dentistry at the Fluminense Federal University School of Dentistry, Brazil. Bert has served as an Associate Editor for Operative Dentistry since 2024.
Sabrina Feitosa Sochacki, DDS, MSc, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, where she also directs the Master of Science program in Biomaterials. She earned her dental degree, master’s degree, and PhD from São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil and completed advanced clinical training in periodontics.
Dr. Sochacki’s research centers on dental biomaterials and the development of restorative materials designed to improve durability, prevent recurrent caries, and support the preservation of tooth structure. Her scholarship has explored resin-based materials, adhesive systems, antimicrobial technologies, remineralizing agents, nanoparticles, and approaches for reducing dentin permeability. Before joining the University at Buffalo, she conducted research and mentored dental students at Indiana University School of Dentistry.
Her work has received international recognition, including the International Association for Dental Research–GC Corporation Toshio Nakao Fellowship. Through interdisciplinary research, teaching, and mentorship, Dr. Sochacki seeks to translate advances in materials science into clinically meaningful solutions that improve restorative outcomes and expand access to effective oral healthcare.
Dr. Sochacki has served as an associate editor since 2024.
Dr. Sarah Alhalees BDS, MS, ABOD graduated with Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree at King Saud University in 2013. From July 2014 to July 2017, Dr. Alhalees attended the University of Michigan's dental school, where she received a Master of Science degree in Graduate Restorative Dentistry. She then attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham Dental School, receiving a Fellowship in Advanced Esthetic Dentistry and Advanced Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials. Dr. Alhalees is board-certified by the American Board of Operative Dentistry. She is a restorative dentistry consultant with advanced training in esthetic dentistry at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh (KFSH&RC), Saudi Arabia. She’s also the program director of the Saudi Board of Restorative Dentistry (SBRD program) at KFSH&RC and a clinical supervisor for the Saudi Board of Family Dentistry residency program. She is also a member in the exam committee of the Saudi Board of Family Dentistry residency program. Dr. Alhalees has served as an associate editor since 2025.
Howard Roberts, DMD, MS is an Associate Editor. After graduating in 1982, he practiced in Kentucky and 1987 accepted a commission in the United States Air Force. In 1993 Dr. Roberts completed a two-year comprehensive dentistry residency as well as a Masters degree in Dental Biomaterials from Marquette University in 2006. He has served as an AEGD-1 director, guided masters degree research for dental residents, and served as a Consultant to the USAF Surgeon General for Dental Materials. After 30 years of active duty service he retired from the USAF in 2017 with the rank of Colonel and joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky serving as the Director of Graduate Studies. Dr. Roberts is active in International and ANSI/ADA dental standards and was cited as being within the top 2% of most-cited researchers for 2023.
Dr. Roberts has served as an associate editor since 2024.
Dr. Bruce A Matis DDS, MS, graduated dental school from Case Western Reserve in 1971. He later earned a Master of Science in Dentistry and a One-Year Certificate in Preventive Dentistry both from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1983 and 1984. Dr. Matis served in the US Air Force, receiving a host of recognitions for his efforts in the advancement of the service and of dentistry in the service, retiring as a Colonel in 1993. He then served as a professor, and the Director of the Clinical Research Facility at the IU School of Dentistry where he became world renown in the area of tooth whitening. He retired as professor emeritus in 2013. Dr. Matis then worked at a private dental research lab where he still provides assistance and training for the dental clinical research staff. He has recently been recognized as one of the top 2% of cited dental scientists in the world since 1984 by Elsevier Data Repository. Dr. Matis served as an associate editor for the journal for 15+ years. Currently, Dr. Matis is serving as the assistant managing editor.
Sopanis “Minnie” Cho, DDS, MSD, is a clinical assistant professor in the Comprehensive Care Division and director of the International Dentist Program at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. She began her association with Indiana University in 1998 after earning her first DDS degree from Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. At Indiana, she completed a postdoctoral MSD in operative dentistry, with a minor in dental materials, in 2001 and earned an additional DDS degree in 2003.
Dr. Cho broadened her clinical expertise through advanced training in prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthetics, completing her residency and receiving certificates in both areas in 2018. She is board certified in operative dentistry and previously served on the Board of Councilors of the American Board of Operative Dentistry, including as chair of its written examination subcommittee.
Drawing on her experience as an internationally educated dentist, graduate student, clinician, and faculty member, Dr. Cho provides informed leadership for internationally trained dentists pursuing U.S. dental education. Her teaching and service reflect a commitment to clinical excellence, comprehensive patient care, and the professional development of future dentists.
Dr Cho has been an Associate Editor since 2025.
Ms Meredith Lecklider is Office Manager as well as Subscription Manager. Meredith also serves as Human Resources Coordinator in the Office of Faculty Affairs at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. A member of the school’s administrative community since 2016, she has progressed from administrative specialist to her current human resources role, developing broad experience in academic administration, faculty support, institutional communication, and office coordination.
Within the Office of Faculty Affairs, Meredith helps support the people and processes that enable faculty members to succeed in teaching, research, clinical care, and service. Her work requires careful attention to detail, discretion, responsiveness, and effective collaboration with faculty, staff, and school leadership. She has also contributed to the office’s Faculty Affairs newsletter, helping communicate professional development opportunities, faculty transitions, institutional initiatives, and other information important to the dental school community.
As office manager for Operative Dentistry, Meredith coordinates day-to-day administrative activities and supports clear, timely communication among editors, reviewers, authors, and publishing partners. She brings to the journal a service-oriented approach, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to maintaining efficient and dependable editorial operations.
Kevin Matis, MSEd, serves as Administrative Assistant, Director of Continuing Education, Permissions Editor, and Manager of Technology for Operative Dentistry. He has supported the journal in various capacities since 2001, bringing extensive institutional knowledge and a practical understanding of scholarly publishing, continuing education, and editorial operations.
Kevin coordinates communication among the journal’s editorial team, authors, reviewers, vendors, and publishing partners. He also helps maintain the journal’s technology systems, written policies and procedures, author guidelines, permissions processes, and other resources that support consistent and efficient publication. As Director of Continuing Education, he oversees the journal’s provider recognition and continuing education administration, including collaborative educational activities with the professional organizations associated with Operative Dentistry.
Kevin earned a Master of Science in Education in adult education and completed a graduate certificate in information systems technology. His earlier professional experience includes employee training, program coordination, hospitality management, and extensive volunteer leadership. By combining organizational experience, educational expertise, and technical skills, Kevin helps ensure that the journal’s editorial and continuing education activities remain responsive, reliable, and professionally administered.
Past Editors
We honor the following individuals who have spent untold hours on bringing this journal to life. We thank long-time Managing Editor, J Martin Anderson BA, BS, DDS for the text.
A. Ian Hamilton, BA, BS, MA, PhD, DDS 1974 -1985
The new journal was to be a quarterly publication rather than semiannual, and, it would publish articles that advanced the practice of the entire field of operative dentistry. The scope of the journal included conservation and restoration of teeth, the scientific foundation of operative dental therapy; dental materials; dental education; and the social, political, and economic aspects of dental practice. Review papers, book reviews, letters, and classified ads for faculty positions are also published. Volume 1, Number 1 was published in the Winter of 1976. Dr. Hamilton had selected a blue cover scheme with a white border of polka dots and white lettering. The size of the journal was 7 inches by 9.5 inches. The cover was varnished. The annual subscription rate at this time was $20 per year. There were 48 pages per volume, each bound with a saddle stitch.
The organization of the journal infrastructure was a formidable task for the editor. Associate editors, editorial assistants, copy and editors, a managing editor, and editorial board (referees), editorial advisers, a subscription manager all had to be recruited, trained, and supervised. The editor’s job was to select the best possible articles for publication and then get those articles in the best possible shape for the reader.
Dr Hamilton’s publishing team:
Editor: Dr. A. Ian Hamilton
Associate Editors: Wilmer B. Eames, Clifford H. Miller, Gerald D. Stibbs, David J. Bales
Managing Editor: J. Martin Anderson
Editorial Assistant: Nancy M. Neyens
Editorial Associate: Joan B. Manzer
Subscription Manager: Judy A. Valela
David J. Bales, DDS, MSD 1986-1992
Dr. David Jefferson Bales succeeded Dr. Hamilton as editor in 1986. Prior to Dr. Bales’s editorship the mechanics of page layout were done by the cut-and-paste method. This was time-consuming and required much manual labor. Joan Manzer, the copy editor, labored diligently and persistently with copy and the page layout. Dr. Bales’s expertise with computers and the use of word processing software eliminated the old cut-and-paste method and greatly reduced the editing. It became much easier to place copy on the page and size pictures and illustrations. In 1990, with desktop technology, Dr. Bales moved the journal from four to six numbers per year. He also reversed the existing color scheme to a white background with blue lettering and logos. About this time, facsimile and e-mail technology were being made available. This greatly enhanced the ability of the editor to communicate with authors and the editorial board (referees).
Dr. Bales recruited two outstanding employees for the journal: his wife, Darlyne Bales, in 1987 as an editorial assistant, and Kate Flynn-Connolly in 1988 as an editorial associate. Both of these women provided tremendous support, expertise, and enthusiasm for the journal. They continued in their duties until the journal was moved to Indiana. The quality and timeliness of their work greatly enhanced the quality of the journal and made working with the editorial board an easier task for the editor.
During his tenure, Dr. Bales produced seven volumes, 34 numbers, and two supplements, one of which was the prestigious “Proceedings of the International Symposium on Adhesives in Dentistry,” which contained twenty-two state-of-the-science papers. David’s exceptional work ethic, depth of knowledge, and dedication to his profession provided all the necessary ingredients for a successful editorship. He will always be our benefactor.
Maxwell H. Anderson, DDS, MEd, MS 1993 – 1995
Dr. Maxwell H. Anderson became the third editor of Operative Dentistry, succeeding Dr Bales 1993.
His experience as a teacher, mentor, researcher, speaker and writer, gave him the tools for editing what had by now become a recognized and respected scientific journal. Though his tenure as editor was relatively short, he guided the publishing of twelve numbers and made significant changes to the size and format of the journal. His changing the size to 8 ½ x 11 inches gave the publication a new look and also saved money in printing costs. It also afforded the journal the luxury of publishing more articles. Dr. Anderson was keen to recognize the need to carry clinical articles. He wrote specific guidelines for prospective authors of these papers (Vol 18(3) pg 115). A “clinical relevance” statement was required for all original papers to give the reader a better understanding of the practical application and usefulness of the article published. Max’s energy and exceptional knowledge of the field of operative dentistry greatly benefited the readers of Operative Dentistry. He will always be our benefactor.
Richard B. McCoy, DDS, MS 1995 – 1999
Dr. Richard B. McCoy succeeded Dr. Maxwell H. Anderson as editor of Operative Dentistry in 1995 when Dr. Anderson left the university to pursue a career in the dental insurance industry. Dr. McCoy has been on the editorial board, and, had been associate editor, which placed him in an excellent position to take over as the new editor. Dick was very well acquainted with the editorial team and had extensive experience working with scientific typescripts. Dr McCoy produced 30 numbers and the first color article was published during his tenure. He strengthened the editorial board (referees) and set a policy that utilized three referees for each submitted typescript. Dr. McCoy expanded the journal from 48 pages to 72 pages with a new “spine” binding that displays the journal’s name and volume for easier shelf-identification. Dick’s editorship is marked by the international recognition of Operative Dentistry for its overall quality. This has resulted in a continuing influx of excellent typescripts from around the world that provide our readers with valuable information. Dr. McCoy resigned as editor in 1999 and continues as an associate editor. He will always be our benefactor.
Michael A Cochran, DDS MSD 2000-2009
Dr. Cochran’s first task was moving the journal offices from Seattle to Indianapolis. Through a collective effort from both universities, those tasks were accomplished with no disruptions in publishing. Dr. Cochran efficiently managed to form a new publishing team at the Indiana University School of Dentistry and the move was accomplished expeditiously.
Mike was a leader in operative dentistry and dental education throughout his career and retired as chair of the graduate program in operative dentistry at Indiana University. The journal was very fortunate to have him on board as editor. He efficiently processed a very large number of typescripts, and increased the number of pages printed to 100-130 in each issue. Mike gave a new look to the journal with a new cover design and internal style changes. He added an “Invited Papers” section that allows the journal to provide more clinical and state-of-the-art technique articles. Another major change in the journal format is the inclusion of corporate sponsorship. The corporate logo of each sponsor is published in each number. These companies have been selected by a commitment to operative dentistry equal to our own. This program has increased revenue which has helped keep the subscription rate nominal yet allows for improvements in quality, size and color. Arguably the most significant change to the journal occurred under Mike’s watch when the journal began online publications in 2006. With this advancement, subscriptions included an electronic journal and libraries in particular benefitted from this opportunity to have the journal available for a much wider student and research audience
Dr. Cochran’s editorial team:
Editor: Michael A. Cochran
Editorial Assistant/Subscription Manager: Joan Matis
Editorial Associate: Karen E Wilczewski
Associate Editors: Bruce A Matis, Edward J DeSchepper and Richard B McCoy
Managing Editor: Timothy J Carlson
Assistant Managing Editors: Joel M Wagoner and Ronald K Harris
Jeffrey A Platt, DDS MS 2010-2024
Dr. Platt oversaw the transition of an institutionally based and supported journal to one that operated completely in the virtual world. This was accomplished at a time where there was greater competition in acquiring quality manuscripts as well as the challenge of a worldwide pandemic which saw the rapid shrinking of available supplies, research, and working publishing professionals.
Jeff is a recognized world leader in dental materials. He continued to serve as the Chair of Biomedical and Applies Sciences, Director of both Dental Biomaterials and Biomedical Sciences Research at the Indiana University School of Dentistry after stepping down as Editor of the Journal. The Journal was extremely fortunate to have Jeff’s services as editor. During his Operative Dentistry tenure, he also acted as editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Dental Association as they searched for a permanent person to fill that role. Jeff commented often at the ability of OpDent to put out a journal of such quality with the tiniest fraction of the resources he had at his disposal at JADA; such comments were (albeit unintentional) a sincere complement to his knowledge and leadership of OpDent.
Jeff oversaw the cover redesign of the journal from logo based to a cover photo format, which both opened opportunities for subscribing dentists with hobbies in photography to see their excellent work published, as well as making the journal more visually appealing. He continued the previous editor’s internal style and pushed to have more clinical articles submitted. Jeff also negotiated the minefield of the COVID pandemic while simultaneously redeploying journal resources to make the journal more financially viable in the modern publishing landscape. These pressures and unavoidable obstacles resulted in a season of significant publishing delays. Jeff persevered and ended his tenure with on time publications, a streamlined publishing process, a viable budget, and recognition of his many achievements by the Academy of Operative Dentistry as recipient of the 2024 Hollenback Memorial Prize.
Dr. Platt’s editorial team (volumes of service):
Editor: Jeffrey A Platt (35-49)
Editorial Assistant/Subscription Manager: Joan Matis (35-36)
Editorial Associate: Karen E Wilczewski (35-36)
Office Manager(s): Joan Matis (37-40), Erin Cody (41-49), and Meredith Lecklider (49)
Proof Editor/ Web Developer: Jeremy I Matis (35-37)
Administrative Assistant: Kevin B Matis (35-36)
Editorial Assistant/ Director, Continuing Education: Kevin B Matis (37-49)
Associate Editors: Bruce A Matis (35-40), Michael A Cochran (35-37), N Blaine Cook (37-49), William D Browning (39-40), Kim E Diefenderfer, (41-49), So Ron Kwon ( 41-49), Camila Sabatini (43-49), and Ricardo Walter (49)
Managing Editor: Timothy J Carlson (35-49)
Assistant Managing Editors: Joel M Wagoner (35-39), Robert C Keene (35-36), Bert A Smulders (35-36), Barry O Evans (37-49), Lawrence Vanzella (37-49), and Paul Hasagawa (40-49)
Statistical Consultant: George J Eckert (41-49)