Dean Mark A. Reynolds of the School of Dentistry, left, poses with Dean Behnia the youngest member of the Molar Club, as well as dad, Ali Behnia.

Ali Behnia, DMD, ENDO '98, a member of the School of Dentistry Dean’s Faculty in the Department of Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry, is issuing a challenge to his fellow alumni and friends of the school to join the Endodontics Alumni Molar Club.

In issuing the challenge, Dr. Behnia has made a donation to initiate a Molar Club membership in honor of his young son, Dean Behnia. At a recent social gathering of School of Dentistry alumni and friends, Dr. Behnia had the opportunity to introduce young Dean as a new member of the Molar Club, to Dean Mark A. Reynolds.

Donations to the Molar Club are be used to fund endodontics residents through the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment, providing scholarship money and paying for travel to and courses as well as assisting in research projects.

Any level of donation is appreciated by the Department of Endodontics, but Molar Club membership is recognized at the $1,500 level; the Premolar Club level is $750.

Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Dr. Behnia moved to the United States as an international college student after completing high school.

After receiving an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from Boston University, he attended dental school at the University of Pennsylvania. He relocated to Maryland to complete his endodontic residency at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. After being offered a position at the Dental School, he decided to stay and become, as he characterizes it, a proud Marylander.  Dr. Behnia has been a practicing specialist in Rockville for the past 13 years.

Dr. Behnia credits his father with giving his five brothers and him the exceptional opportunity to attend college in America.  “My dad was a great believer that the United States offered the best higher education.  I have a great deal of gratitude towards my parents for providing me the opportunity to study here,” Dr. Behnia said.  To honor his Dad, Dr. Behnia has established a Scholarship Fund at the school of Dentistry in his name, “Mohammad Behnia Scholarship Fund”.  Whether it is the annual giving to the school, funding scholarship funds, volunteering your time, Dr. Behnia believes in giving back to the school in any way possible.  “No one has become poor by giving” he says.

Dr. Behnia began his dental career in a dual-role as both a full-time faculty member and the Director of Undergraduate Endodontics at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. After four years in that capacity, Dr. Behnia has spent the last nine years as a full-time practitioner in his own private practice and as a part-time faculty member at the Dental School.

Anyone with questions about the Molar Club can visit http://bit.ly/1QkYqmU or contact Jessica Schmidt-Bonifant, Major Gifts Officer, by email or by phone at 410-706-4298.