Professor Vilma Brukienė Became the Head of the VU MF Institute of Dentistry

Significant changes have taken place at the Institute of Dentistry of the Faculty of Medicine (MF) of Vilnius University (VU). This scientifically accomplished unit has always been open to experiments, social and technological development and educates highly qualified dentists, specialists and future scientist in both – Lithuanian and English, who make the name of the University famous not only in the country, but also abroad. Now the management of the Institute is being taken over by a Professor and a Doctor of biomedical sciences Vilma Brukienė. She will be replacing Prof Dr Vytautė Pečiulienė, who has started managing the Žalgiris Clinic of Vilnius University Hospital (VUL).

According to the Dean of MF, Prof Algirdas Utkus, during the leadership of Prof V. Pečiulienė, many positive changes took place at the Institute – the infrastructure was renewed, study programs were improved, international level research was carried out, and the unity and quality of science and studies was ensured.

“I sincerely thank the Professor for the smooth and constructive work, for the achievements, and the development of dentistry study programme for foreign students. I wish the new Director of the Institute, Prof V. Brukienė, creativity and energy, it will not be easy to keep the bar raised high,” the Dean says and adds that he has no doubt that the director will do well continuing the work she has started and implementing new ideas.

Prof V. Pečiulienė is glad that the implementation of the Institute's strategy will be continued by her long term colleague: “I wish Professor V. Brukienė a lot of success. The cooperation between the Faculty of Medicine and the Žalgiris Clinic will continue, and the result of this mutually beneficial process will be the well-trained specialists of dentistry in Lithuania and the world.”

Vilma Brukienė obtained the qualification of a dentist at the Faculty of Dentistry of Kaunas Medical Academy in 1998. In 2002 she finished residency studies at the Institute of Dentistry of VU MF, obtained the qualification of a children’s dentist and worked at VUL Žalgiris clinic. At the same time, she embarked on a pedagogical path. She was awarded the title of a Doctor of Biomedical Sciences.

The professor has done an internship abroad and has many international awards for her achievements in science. Since 2012 she has been a member of the Council of the Chamber of Dentistry of the Republic of Lithuania. Since 2016 she has been the Vice-President of the Council. In 2007 Prof V. Brukienė defended her dissertation, in which she analyzed the oral health condition of Lithuanian 15-16-year-olds. The researcher continues to carry out directed research and is participating in national and international research projects.

“It is a great honor for me to become the head of the Institute of Dentistry. I feel great responsibility taking the place of Prof V. Pečiulienė, who has always been an example to me. I am grateful for the trust. I have ideas and I am sure that together with the entire staff of the Institute of Dentistry we will continue to work effectively in the fields of science and studies,” V. Brukienė says.