Dr. Leo E Rouse DDS

Expert Publications

• ADEA President-Elect's Address.
• ADEA President's address.
• Body dysmorphic disorder and cosmetic dentistry: diagnostic, management, and ethical issues.

Media Releases

Get to know Dentist Dr. Leo E. Rouse, who resides in Maryland.

Dr. Rouse, a skilled dentist, is the President of the American College of Dentists. He also serves as a Consultant at the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).

“My work there is important because it gave me the opportunity to share my skills in leadership, the professional development of others, a focus on building teams and serving as a mentor” he stated.

As a representative of ADEA, Dr. Rouse served on the Expert Panel of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) that was charged with developing the Core Competencies for IPEC. He has served as a member of the National Advisory Council for the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. In March 2010, he was elected President-Elect of ADEA and was installed as the first African American President of ADEA in March of 2011. 

Three pertinent awards that he has received from ADEA include the 2017 ADEA Distinguished Service Award, the 2009 ADEA Presidential Citation, and the 2015 and 2019 ADEA Chairman of the Board Citation. Other recognitions include the 2015 Alan J. Davis/Student Clinician American Dental Association Achievement Award, the 1997 Howard University College of Dentistry Alumni Achievement Award, the 2011 Sterling V. Mead Award from the District of Columbia Dental Society, and the 2011 Legend Award from the National Dental Association. 

After graduating from Howard University College of Dentistry with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Dr. Rouse spent a quarter century in the U.S. Army as a military dentist and leader. He concluded his military career at the rank of Colonel as Commander and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Army Dental Command, commanding the Army Dental Corps worldwide. In this role, he ensured the oral and overall health of more than 4,000 personnel – including officers, enlisted soldiers and civilians.

Dr. Rouse’s commitment to dental education began as a faculty member in the dental science division at the Army Medical Department Center and School at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, where he eventually served as chief of the division. From there, he made it back to his alma mater, Howard University, ultimately becoming Dean of the Howard University College of Dentistry. 

Upon his retirement as Dean of Howard University College of Dentistry, he received the 2015 Trailblazer Award from the National Dental Association and a 2015 Presidential Citation from the American Dental Association. He was also awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters Honorary Degree from the Western University of Health Sciences in May of 2014.

Due to his work in academia, Dr. Rouse was recruited by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), to which he previously served on staff as senior scholar in residence, liaison to the council of deans, chair of the ADEA Gies Foundation board of directors, as well as board president. 

“It’s been a wonderful life. I love being a dentist because in my professional career I have been fortunate to work in an environment that improves the overall health of patients in a military, civilian, and academic setting. I have also been blessed as an educator to help influence the next generation of dentists in their contributions to improve the overall health of patients” stated Dr. Rouse.

Dentistry, also known as Dental and Oral Medicine, is a branch of medicine that consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity. Dentists diagnose and treat dental issues and help patients develop better oral hygiene regimens. They clean teeth, correct bite issues, perform surgeries and extractions, and perform other duties to ensure that the teeth and mouth are healthy.  

The recipient of the American Dental Association’s 2020 Distinguished Service Award, Dr. Rouse was humble when he learned of his honor, and attributed the award to being motivated to lead through the philosophy of being a servant leader.

“I am inspired by the young men and women of our profession who through our tremendous dental education programs provide selfless service, quality oral health care, understand the social determinants of health, recognize the importance and value of access to care — all through ethical behavior, professionalism and leadership” stated Dr. Rouse.

On a more personal note, he has been happily married to his wife, Yvonne, for more than five decades. 

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