Dr. Phil Richards attended the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, earning both his DDS (in 1984) and his MS in periodontics (in 1988). He has been a Michigan faculty member since 1984, teaching primarily foundational periodontal concepts and skills. In 1994, Dr. Richards was named the director of undergraduate periodontics - a leadership role he served for over 20 years. He provided periodontal patient care at the nonprofit Community Dental Center of Ann Arbor for 18 years and also served as faculty advisor for the Jonathan Taft Society - a student volunteer group. Dr. Richards has been a consultant and instructor for dental residents at the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center since 2004. He has led and served on many committees within the dental school, across campus (with the UofM Center for Research on Learning and Teaching) and nationally (with the American Dental Education Association). His interests include dental educational theory and practice, patient-clinician communication, clinical decision-making and public health. He has offered an elective course designed to support and inspire potential future dental and dental hygiene faculty since 2013. A passionate and energetic educator, Dr. Richards has been recognized for his teaching and honored by students on many occasions, receiving the “Dr. Paul Gibbons Award” (for outstanding educational contributions during four years of dental school) from 12 graduating classes.