Henry Cherrick, DDS, an oral pathology leader who served as dean of two dental schools, died Jan. 24 at the age of 84.
Dr. Cherrick served as dean of the University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry and Alton-based Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. He also served as dean of Omaha-based University of Nebraska Medical Center, according to a Jan. 31 news release.
During the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Dr. Cherrick realized dentists could play a key role in AIDS diagnosis after observing soft-tissue lesions in the mouths of patients who were HIV-positive. He advocated for a federal program to support dental care for these patients, now known as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part F Dental Reimbursement Program.
Dr. Cherrick authored more than 45 articles, conducting research on surgical management of pathological processes, oral pathology and bone transplantation.