The University of Iowa College of Dentistry

  • Paula Weistroffer, DDS, MS

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics

  • Part-Time Director in Periodontics, Department of Family Dentistry

  • Expertise:

  • Periodontics

  • Education:

  • DDS, University of Iowa, 2002
  • MS, Oral Science, University of Iowa, 2007
  • Certificate, Periodontics, University of Iowa, 2007
  • Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology

  • To Make an Appointment:

  • Call 319-335-7232

Brief Professional Resume:

Dr. Weistroffer joined the College of Dentistry as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics in 2007. While she was obtaining her MS in oral science and a certificate in periodontics, she was also a postdoctoral trainee (NRSA T32 grant) from July 2005-July 2007.

Teaching Activities

: Dr. Weistroffer is the course director for D4 Periodontics in the Department of Family Dentistry. She lectures in the periodontal curriculum for D1 through D4 students. For the postdoctoral residency program,  she teaches an Implant Literature Review course and coordinates the Recent Advances in Periodontics seminar course.

Clinical Activities

: She teaches in the undergraduate periodontal clinic, the Department of Family Dentistry's undergraduate comprehensive care program, and also in the periodontal resident clinics. Dr. Weistroffer also maintains a private practice within the college.

Research Activities

: Dr. Weistroffer has studied the antimicrobial activity of cathelicidins against oral pathogens. She researched this topic as part of the predoctoral four-year Dental Research Award (DRA) program and continued the research during her specialty training in the Department of Periodontics and her MS in oral science. She is currently involved as a co-investigator in several clinical studies of dental implants, looking specifically at torque values, esthetic requirements and short-length implants. Her most recent area of interest is in interprofessional/interdisciplinary education.

National or International Professional Appointments and Activities

: Dr. Weistroffer is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the Midwest Society of Periodontology, and the Iowa Society of Periodontology. She also has memberships in the American Dental Association, the Iowa Dental Association, the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, and she is the faculty advisor and a member of the American Academy of Women Dentists. She recently joined the Academy of Osseointegration.