About the Author

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Joseph A. Giovannitti, DMD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Dental Anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and Anesthesia Director of the school's Center for Patients with Special Needs. Dr. Giovannitti received his DMD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1977 and went on to gain his Certificate in Dental Anesthesiology there in 1979. He joined University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 2003, having previously been Adjunct Associate Professor at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. Dr. Giovannitti has been actively involved in teaching at all levels of dental education, has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters on pain and anxiety control in dentistry, and has lectured nationally and internationally. He is a founding member and past president of the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists and a past president of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology. He has received many awards during his career, including the Leonard M. Monheim Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists and the Jay A. Heidbrink Award from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.