Dr. Sonal S. Shah

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Sonal S. Shah is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial pathologist and active oral medicine clinician with over 18 years of experience in academia. She previously worked as a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor at New York University College of Dentistry where she was also appointed as Director of the NYU Oral Medicine Clinic. She is currently an Associate Professor of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Shah teaches all levels of dental students and residents both in the didactic and clinical setting, performs microscopic examination of oral biopsy cases and maintains a very busy oral medicine clinical practice. She has extensive experience in course development/design and serves as course director for multiple courses.

As a recognized expert in oral pathology and oral medicine education, Dr. Shah holds several key leadership positions. She is currently a CODA site visitor for oral pathology residency training programs and has served for many years and been involved in many site visits. As a subject matter expert, she is an appointed member of the INBDE test construction committee. She is very active in the American Dental Education Association, serving on many committees, regularly presenting educational programs and reviewing program proposals annually. Dr. Shah is appointed to an ADEA taskforce that has revised the “Competencies for the New General Dentist” document that will serve as a blueprint for many dental school curricula. Dr. Shah serves on the Curriculum Committee, Institutional Effectiveness Committee and Strategic Planning Committee, all at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Professionally, Dr. Shah has been elected or appointed to numerous prominent leadership roles in the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and American Academy of Oral Medicine. She is also appointed section head of the World Workshop of Oral Medicine, an international project to develop a global undergraduate dental student oral medicine curriculum.

Dr. Shah has several publications, numerous posters and abstracts and reviews manuscripts for several prominent dental and specialty journals including the Journal of the American Dental Association. She is a regularly invited speaker at national dental and specialty meetings including the ADA, AGD and GNYDM. Dr. Shah is also a consultant and advisory board member for several private companies that are involved with early oral cancer detection devices and technologies. On a personal note, she enjoys reading, traveling, trying new restaurants and lounges with her husband and also playing Texas Hold’em Poker!