The West Virginia University School of Dentistry recently recognized three residents upon completion of their specialized endodontic training during a celebration at the WVU Health Sciences Center.
The Class of 2026 includes Dr. Dakota Bailey, Dr. Hamid Jafarzadeh Bakooei, and Dr. Vaidehi Kumar.
The celebration included members of the Department of Endodontics who helped support the residents throughout their time in the 26-month program, including Program Director Dr. Gary Johnson, faculty members Dr. Catherine Connor and Dr. Jerry Bouquot, dental assistants Connie Bolinger, Mandi Matheny and Donna Pompili, recently retired department chair Dr. Samuel Dorn and his wife, Lindy, and fellow endodontic residents.
Upon completion of the program, Dr. Bailey began practicing in South Carolina, Dr. Bakooei began practicing in Virginia, and Dr. Kuman began practicing in Philadelphia, Pa.
In addition to earning an M.S. in Endodontics, the 26-month program at WVU prepares trainees to achieve board certification in endodontics, a distinction held by only one in four endodontists in the U.S. Endodontists focus on the diagnosis and treatment of inner infections, working to preserve natural teeth. Less than 3% of licensed dentists are endodontists.
The program provides the education and clinical training necessary for specialty practice, teaching, and research. During their training, residents provide patient care at WVU Dental, the clinical practice component of the WVU School of Dentistry offering care from faculty, resident, and student dentists.
In addition to the endodontics program, the WVU School of Dentistry offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Doctor of Dental Surgery, advanced education programs in orthodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics, and Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency programs in general practice, oral and maxillofacial surgery and pediatric dentistry.
To learn more about the WVU School of Dentistry, visit dentistry.wvu.edu.
This is not an official record of degrees awarded.
Photo at top: Graduates of the WVU School of Dentistry M.S. in Endodontics program, Dr. Hamid Jafarzadeh Bakooei, Dr. Vaidehi Kumar, and Dr. Dakota Bailey. (submitted photo)
-WVU-
jw/9/2/26
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