On June 30, the Faculty of Dentistry is saying farewell to Dr. Michael Flunkert, a passionate and skilled educator who has been teaching with the Faculty since 2018.

Dr. Flunkert completed his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at UBC in 1980, graduated from UBC Dentistry in 1985, and went on to have a successful career. After more than 30 years in private practice in Vancouver, he was ready for a change and returned to his old stomping grounds as a part-time clinical instructor. In 2020, he began lecturing fourth-year DMD students over Zoom during the global pandemic.

“It’s an exciting challenge helping students get to the point where they feel competent in their skills and where the instructor feels good knowing these students will be out in the world providing dental care,” says Dr. Flunkert. “There’s a great community here at UBC Dentistry and working as a clinical instructor is the perfect way to give back to the profession.”

In 2022, Dr. Flunkert began working full-time as the DMD fourth-year module coordinator. Being back at his alma mater gave him the opportunity to teach students practical skills and pass on his knowledge about the day-to-day operations of a dental clinic.

Outside the clinic, you can find him jamming on his steel guitar and for many years, Dr. Flunkert was a judge for the Battle of Bands competition on campus.

“Mike is always calm, smiling and making everyone laugh,” says Dr. Lauren Milchman, UBC Dentistry Lecturer who worked closely with Dr. Flunkert. “His temperament, wisdom and efficiency are inspiring and have made the Faculty a better place to teach and learn. We will miss his positive energy!”