The Mike Petryk School of Dentistry welcomes new Chair, Dr. Leigha Rock

Dr. Rock joins us from Dalhousie University, where she has served with distinction as an Associate Professor and Director of the School of Dental Hygiene. Described by colleagues as a "boundary crosser," she brings an extraordinary blend of deep clinical foundation, cutting-edge oncology research, and national policy leadership to our community.

Dr. Rock's career is anchored by over 20 years of hands-on practice as a dental hygienist in British Columbia. This extensive front-line experience gave her a firsthand view of early-stage oral lesions and dysplasia, sparking a lifelong passion for interceptive patient care that ultimately pulled her back to academia.

Her pursuit of higher education led her to a Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc) and a PhD in Craniofacial Science from the University of British Columbia, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in integrative oncology and cancer control research at BC Cancer.

Reflecting her rising national profile, Dr. Rock was elected in August 2025 as one of just five inaugural Emerging Leaders in Health Sciences in Canada. She currently serves as President of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, Co-Chair of Canada’s National Oral Health Research Strategy and Scientist / Scientific Affiliate at the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute and Nova Scotia Health.

As the director of RockLab, Dr. Rock’s innovative work bridges the gap between clinical dentistry and oncology. Her research focuses heavily on oral pre-cancer, specifically seeking biological markers that can accurately predict whether moderate pre-malignant lesions will transform into cancer. Because oral cancer surgeries can be drastically life-altering, her work is critical to helping clinicians precisely identify which patients require aggressive intervention and which can be safely monitored.

Dr. Rock carries a vibrant passion for connecting with and serving the public, viewing community impact as a cornerstone of dental education. She is excited to build on the incredible foundation already laid by the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry, nurturing its flagship outreach programs so they can reach new heights. From Access for All and the Northern Satellite teaching clinics to our dedicated dental clinics at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and Radius Community Health and Healing, Dr. Rock is committed to ensuring the school remains a deeply rooted, trusted pillar of community health.

In her new role, Dr. Rock will champion excellence across our research, education, and clinical practice pillars. Her unique trajectory across multiple oral health disciplines makes her exceptionally well-suited to support our students, faculty, and staff while driving the interprofessional collaboration that defines the future of the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry.