Featured Testimonial About Creighton University
Through their visionary gift, the Barsettis are helping us redefine what it means to be a Creighton dentist—setting a new standard for excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care.
At Creighton University, dental students learn to blend art and science from day one. They study tooth anatomy, take precise impressions, and handcraft crowns. As their expertise deepens, they step into the future—designing and watching their restorations materialize in real time on a 3D printer.
For Joseph Barsetti, BA’77, DDS’81, the future of dental education at Creighton is not just about technology—it’s about a shared vision for where the profession is headed. Inspired by the forward-thinking leadership of Dr. Jill Wallen, dean of the School of Dentistry, Dr. Barsetti and his wife, Rita, recently established the Digital Innovation in Dentistry Endowed Professorship.
“If you ever get the chance to work with her, Dean Wallen is remarkable—knowledgeable, intuitive, and genuinely committed to the students,” Barsetti said. “She has a vision for where dental education must go, and I see the same path. Her ideas inspired us to act.”
Barsetti spent nearly four decades combining technical skill with a deep passion for patient care at his Des Moines, Iowa, clinic, evolving alongside the field’s changing demands. After retiring in 2020, his journey came full circle as he returned to Creighton to teach in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. Reflecting on his career, he said, “You master the technical part, but patient interaction is what I love.”
Today, the generosity of alumni, friends, and Dean Wallen’s leadership are shaping a new era of dental education at Creighton.
--Empower and prepare the next generation of Creighton dentists by making a gift to the School of Dentistry Digital Innovation!--
“The train has left the station,” Barsetti said. “Digital tools belong in dental education, and Creighton must lead. Dentistry is changing quickly, and our students need to be ready for what comes next. They must know how to use new technology—and decide if it truly benefits their patients.”
This progress is made possible through the Barsettis’ endowed professorship.
“I am deeply grateful to the Barsettis,” Wallen said. “Through their visionary gift, the Barsettis are helping us redefine what it means to be a Creighton dentist—setting a new standard for excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care.”
For Barsetti, innovation is closely tied to Creighton’s Jesuit mission. He believes the best dentists understand the “why” behind every tool. “As a student, I was fascinated by how procedures worked—and why they worked,” he said. “Technology changes dentistry, but it’s always more than technical skills—it’s about judgment, discernment, and empathy.”
This balance resonated with recent graduate Elyce Cederholm, DDS’25, now practicing in Arizona. “Traditional techniques gave me a foundation to understand why tools work, not just how,” she explained. “Now, I scan every patient and walk them through their mouth, tooth by tooth. For me, it’s about connecting with people.”
Working in close partnership with Dean Wallen, Barsetti ensured the professorship’s goals reflect Creighton’s mission and align with her broader vision.
“Digital dentistry is reshaping the landscape of oral health care. Its impact goes beyond clinical practice, changing how we teach and prepare students. Embracing this technology is essential for training professionals ready to lead in a rapidly evolving field,” said Wallen.
Building on this momentum, the professorship also emphasizes research and development. “If Creighton integrates tools into education, students will always be ahead of the curve,” Barsetti said. “I hope students and faculty don’t just use technology but explore and advance it themselves.”
The impact is evident in faculty like Joe Sullivan, DDS’11, assistant professor of prosthodontics, who returned to Creighton after nearly a decade in private practice. “When I first arrived, we weren’t printing anything. Now, our printers run constantly. Watching students gain confidence with these tools is incredible—but we never lose sight of the patient behind the scan or crown.”
Barsetti’s career began with solid preparation at Creighton, where he earned his bachelor’s in psychology and his Doctor of Dental Surgery. After completing a pediatric dentistry specialty at Ohio’s UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in 1983, he returned to practice in Des Moines.
The Barsettis, who continue to reside in West Des Moines, also established the Joseph and Rita Barsetti Fund for Faculty Development, supporting faculty research and professional growth across all departments in the school. Their three children—James Barsetti, BS’16, DDS’20; Joseph Barsetti, BS’17, DDS’21; and Margaret Barsetti, BA’15, OTD’18—are all Creighton graduates.
The search for the Digital Innovation in Dentistry Endowed Professorship is currently underway.
