A Call to Teach
Dr. Brian is a passionate teacher and researcher and enjoys helping develop the next generation of dentists and public health leaders. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry in the Division of Pediatric & Public Health. He also directs the Dentistry in Service to Community (DISC) program.
Dr. Brian also leads the development of equity-focused oral health policy initiatives designed to prepare the next generation of providers for engagement in policy reform supporting health care transformation. In addition to his full-time appointment at the Adams School of Dentistry, Dr. Brian holds adjunct faculty appointments at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, the University of Michigan, and the University of Louisville.
Dr. Brian’s teaching and research interests include health systems science, oral health policy, interdisciplinary education and practice, and the social and political determinants of health.
Before his work at UNC, in 2016, Dr. Brian established an externship program for dental students at the Sault Tribal Health Center in St. Ignace, Michigan, and in 2017 served as a clinic supervisor for dental hygiene students at Ferris State University. Dr. Brian taught biological sciences and anatomy & physiology at North Central Michigan College from 2015 to 2021.
Teaching is a lifelong passion for Dr. Brian, who surprised the admissions committee at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. When asked why he was applying to dental school, Dr. Brian stated that he wanted not only to practice dentistry — but teach it as well.
“Developing the next generation of dentists and public health leaders demands applied and shared learning opportunities.”
— Dr. Zachary Brian