Morrisville, N.C.-based Affordable Care recently appointed a new CEO.

Jeff Ballard has taken over as the fourth CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee.

Miami-based United Dental Corporation has named Elise Nussbaumer as the DSO's next COO.

Here are five C-suite updates that have taken place in the dental industry so far in December: 

Muhammad Ali Shazib, DMD, was recently appointed dean of High Point (N.C.) University's new Workman School of Dental Medicine.

Fluent, a dental analytics, research and insights company, has named Sean Carroll as its next CEO.

University of Rochester (N.Y.) has appointed David Linehan, MD, as dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Liberty Dental Plans appointed Jian Yu to serve as the company's next CFO and chief actuarial officer.

Here are more than 100 dental leadership moves that have taken place this year from DSOs, dental groups, dental technology companies and more:

Here are 11 dental schools that appointed deans this year: 

Dental supply company Envista has appointed a new president of diagnostics, chief human resources officer and chief information officer to its leadership team.

Sarasota, Fla.-based Dental Care Alliance has added several leaders to its executive team this year to support the DSO's expansion goals. 

Christian Stohler, DMD, is stepping down as dean of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and senior vice president of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

Sarasota, Fla.-based Dental Care Alliance appointed Victoria Garcia as the company's next CFO.

Align Technology has added two members to its board of directors.

Here are five dental companies that appointed new chief development officers this year:

Waltham, Mass.-based 42 North Dental recently hired Richard Gervais to be its chief development officer.

Dale Hockel Jr. recently joined Southfield, Mich.-based Great Expressions Dental Centers as its COO. 

The Wisconsin Dental Association has appointed Chris Hansen, DDS, as its next president.

Check out three dental companies that have appointed new COOs so far this year: