AWARD OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENT
2024
Dr. Bruce Matis began his undergraduate training at Weber State University and completed his studies at Brigham Young University (BS) in 1967. He graduated dental school from Case Western Reserve University (DDS) in 1971. He earned a Master of Science in Dentistry in 1983 and a One-Year Certificate in Preventive Dentistry, from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1984.
In 1971 he joined the United States Air Force and served honorably throughout the United States in addition to Korea and Germany on overseas tours. During his 26 years of recognized service, he was given leadership roles at the highest levels and received numerous Meritorious and Commendation Awards.
Dr. Matis returned to the Indiana University School of Dentistry as faculty in July of 1993. In 1995 he became director of the newly formed Clinical Research Facility. He received tenured in 1998 and gained promotion to Professor in 2001. After retiring in 2013 he was appointed as Professor Emeritus in the School of Dentistry.
Dr. Matis has lectured nationally and internationally throughout his career and has authored numerous textbook chapters and over 100 articles with over 60 of them appearing in peer reviewed publications. In addition, he has completed numerous appointments as an advisor/consultant for national committees, councils and various roles with editorial boards over many years.
Although twice retired, Dr. Matis continues to be active with dental research and has recently been recognized as among the top 2% cited dental scientists worldwide.
His professional organization affiliations include leadership roles in the American Dental Association and International Association for Dental Research. He was awarded Fellow Status within the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists, and is a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Fraternity (Theta Theta Chapter). His service to this Academy spans 15 years of dedication as an Associate Editor of the Academy’s Journal, Operative Dentistry. He is recognized as one of the most prolific reviewers to date on top of the administrative duties at which he excelled. Dr Matis is currently entering his 25th year as a peer reviewer on the Reviewer Board for Operative Dentistry.
Excellence only comes with dedicated support from a host of individuals. Dr Matis gratefully acknowledges the unwavering support he has received from countless friends and colleagues and most especially from his wife, Joan, and his five children and their families.
The members of the Academy of Operative Dentistry would like to congratulate Dr. Bruce Matis on his many achievements and recognize him as the 2025 Award of Excellence recipient.
- Undergraduate: Brigham Young University (BS; 1967)
- Graduate: Case Western Reserve University (DDS; 1971)
- Postdoctoral: Indiana University School of Dentistry (MS Dentistry; 1983)
- Postdoctoral Certificates in Preventive Dentistry, Clinical Dental Research Method, NIDA Clinical Trials Network Good Clinical Practice, and Ethics and Human Subject Protection.
- Authored numerous textbook chapters and over 50 peer reviewed research papers.
- Lectures nationally and internationally
- Numerous appointments as an advisor/consultant for national committees and councils as well as various roles with editorial boards. (ADA,
- Professional organizations include leadership roles in the American Dental Association, International Association for Dental Research, American Academy of Gold Foil Operators, and Academy of Operative Dentistry. He was awarded Fellow status within the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists, and is a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (Theta Theta Chapter). For the Academy of Operative Dentistry, he has maintained a continuous role with the Editorial Board for the Operative Dentistry Journal since 1999. During this time, he was Associate Editor from 1999-2014.
- Service with the United States Air Force: 1971 until retirement 1993. His career with the United States Air Force has produced several Meritorious Service and Commendation awards. His assignments included:
- Hill AFB; UT (General Dentist)
- Kwang Ju AFB; Korea (Base Dental Surgeon)
- Davis-Monthan AFB; AZ (General Dental Officer & Preventive Dentistry Officer)
- Brooks Air Force Base; TX (Assistant Chief of Clinical Dentistry, Chief of Oral Health, Chief Clinical Services Function)
- Bolling AFB; Washington, DC (Special Consultant in Preventive Dentistry to the Assistant Surgeon General for Dental Services, Military Consultant to the USAF Surgeon General, Special Consultant in Infection Control to the Assistant Surgeon General for Dental Services)
- Ramstein AFB; Germany (Consultant in General Dentistry to USAFE, Consultant in Infection Control to the USAFE)
- Lowry AFB; Colorado (Chairman of Restorative Dentistry)
- Academic appointments include:
- Clinical Staff at Weber State College; Ogden, UT
- Assistant Professor with the Department of Community Dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center; San Antonio, TX