Rafael Pacheco
Interim Associate Dean
Associate Professor
Academic Appointment(s)
Dental College of Georgia
Department of Restorative Sciences
Dental College of Georgia
Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences
Other Duties
Vice Chair, Restorative Sciences
Bio
Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Digital Technologies at the Dental College of Georgia. Specializes in dental materials, digital dentistry, and educational innovation. Over 60 peer-reviewed publications.
- RAPACHECO@augusta.edu
- (706) 721-8315
- GC 5222
Education
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Ph.D., Dental Materials
State University of Campinas, 2017
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MDS, Dental Materials
State University of Campinas, 2012
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DDS, Dentistry
State University of Campinas, 2010
Certifications
Awards & Honors
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Commitee MVP Faculty Award
Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, 2024
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New Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, 2024
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Dental Faculty Award
Michigan Dental Association, 2022
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Faculty Award
Sigma Phi Alpha, National Dental Hygiene Honor Society, Omega Chapter, 2022
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Outstanding Pre-Clinical Faculty Award
University of Detroit Mercy, School of Dentistry, 2021
Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year
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AGDR 7023
AEGD Didactics
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RSDM 5511
Dental Materials
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RSTP 5502
Diagnosis & Treatment Planning
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IDSR 7003
Esthetic and Rest Proc I
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RSFX 5311
Fixed Prosthodontics I
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GPRR 7023
General Practice Didactic Crs
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RSOC 5311
Occlusal Analysis
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SPDS 5001
Special Dental Studies
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AGDR 7033
AEGD Didactics
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BMBS 5201
Bioclinical Seminar I
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BMBS 5605
Bioclinical Seminar V
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DHYG 3150
Dental Materials
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IDSR 7004
Esth and Rest Proc in GD II
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RSFX 5412
Fixed Prosthodontics II
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RSOP 5212
Operative Dentistry II
Teaching Interests
Dental materials science, digital dentistry, and adhesive dentistry across predoctoral, graduate, and dental hygiene programs, with a focus on innovative teaching methods and technologies including adaptive learning and simulation-based education.
Scholarship
Selected Recent Publications
- 3D Printing in Restorative Dentistry, 2025
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Effect of finishing protocols on dentin surface characteristics and bond strength after tooth preparation for indirect restorations, 2025
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Evaluating Bioactive Restorative Materials, 2025
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Evaluation of a new dynamic erosive aging method on the properties of restorative CAD/CAM dental materials, 2025
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- From names to concepts: Unraveling bioactivity in restorative dental materials, 2025
Journal Article, Academic Journal
Research Interests
Light-curing and polymerization, resin composites, adhesive systems, dental ceramics, and bioactive materials, with a focus on digital technologies in restorative dentistry and development of AI-powered educational tools.
Department Service
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Search Committee: Operative
2023 - Present
Role: Committee Chair
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Search Committee: Prosthodontics
2023 - Present
Role: Committee Chair
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Section Director of Dental Materials
2023 - Present
Role: Other
College Service
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Curriculum Committee
2024 - Present
Role: Committee Chair
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SimPAC Committee
2023 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Digital Dentistry Taskforce
2023 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Student Academic Review Committee
2023 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Research and Table Clinic
2022 - Present
Role: Committee Member
Professional Service
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AADOCR Georgia Section
2023 - Present
Role: Officer, President/Elect/Past
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Dentistry Review
2023 - Present
Role: Editorial Review Board Member
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Dental Materials
2017 - Present
Role: Reviewer
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Journal of Operative Dentistry
2017 - Present
Role: Reviewer
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The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
2017 - Present
Role: Reviewer
Public Service
