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Assistant Professor, Director of Quality Improvement and Assessment
VCU School of Dentistry
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry
Dr. Paula L. Coates is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Dr. Coates knew that she wanted to be a dentist since the age of fourteen. Her academic path began at Duke University in Durham, NC. Then, she earned her dental degree from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN.
A love of working with children led Dr. Coates to continue her studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she completed specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry. During her time there, she gained a great deal of experience working with children of all ages, especially those with special health care needs. Since completing her residency program, Dr. Coates has provided oral health care to children in the states of Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Tennessee and Virginia. In 2021, she joined the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry where she currently serves as an Assistant Professor and Faculty Advisor to the VCU chapters of the Student National Dental Association and Undergraduate Student National Dental Association.
In her spare time, Dr. Coates volunteers many hours with organized dental/health and community service organizations. She has served in leadership positions at the local, state and national levels of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation, and the National Dental Association. She was the first African American Woman elected to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2016-2019). In addition, Dr. Coates is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The James River Valley (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.