Visionary leader, surgeon, and global advocate who reshaped dental education and expanded care worldwide.
Dr. Bruce Donoff, D.M.D., M.D., former dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, died on December 25, 2025, at the age of 83, leaving behind a lasting legacy in dental education, research, and global health.
Dr. Donoff served as dean from 1991 to 2019, a transformative period for the institution marked by growth, innovation, and international outreach. Under his leadership, the school strengthened its academic foundation while expanding its mission beyond traditional boundaries.
Key highlights of Dr. Donoff’s career and impact include:
- Nearly doubling the school’s research capacity, elevating its global academic standing
- Expanding community-based clinical training to improve access to dental care
- Helping establish Rwanda’s first dental school, advancing oral health education in Africa
- Serving as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital
- Authoring more than 100 scientific publications in dentistry and medicine
Dr. Donoff was also deeply involved in professional leadership. He served on the American Dental Association’s Council on Dental Education and Licensure from 2017 to 2020 and was honored with the ADA Community Preventive Dentistry Award in 2005 for his commitment to public health and prevention.
Beyond his professional achievements, colleagues and students remember him as a mentor and advocate for ethical, patient-centered care.
Dr. Donoff is survived by his wife of 61 years, Madelyn, and their children, Elizabeth and Daniel.
In remembrance:
Donations may be made to Temple Emanuel in Newton, Massachusetts, or to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s Office of Development, designated for the Donoff Scholars D.M.D. Scholarship, which continues his commitment to supporting future generations of dental professionals.
Reference:
American Dental Association news release – “Former Harvard School of Dental Medicine dean dies at 83”