Chris Halliday, DDS, MPH, is the inaugural dean of the Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University’s new dental school located on the Kirksville, Mo., campus.
Dr. Halliday, a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), served as assistant surgeon general and chief of staff to the surgeon general of the United States (Dec. 2008-May 2012). His experience includes serving as director and chief dental officer of the Indian Health Service and chief professional officer of the dental category. During his term as chief dental officer of the USPHS, Dr. Halliday coordinated the delivery of oral health services by the Commissioned Corps Dental Officers from the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice, and Department of Homeland Security.
He received his doctor of dental surgery from Marquette University School of Dentistry (1987) and his master of public health from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Public Health (2002).
Dr. Halliday has dedicated his professional life to serving underserved populations. He worked in diverse areas such as Barrow, Alaska, for three years and on American Indian reservations in New Mexico and Arizona for seven years. Dr. Halliday held policy-making positions in Washington, D.C., for 13 years, bringing dental and medical services to people who would otherwise not receive them.
Dr. Halliday is the recipient of numerous awards and honors from the Public Health Service and Indian Health Service, including an Isolated Hardship Award, a Commendation Medal, an Outstanding Service Medal, and the Surgeon General’s Exemplary Service Medal.
He is also a member of the Commissioned Officers Association, American Dental Association, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American Dental Education Association, and a fellow in the American College of Dentists.