Former Harvard School of Dental Medicine dean dies at 83
Bruce Donoff, D.M.D., M.D., who served as dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine from 1991 to 2019, died Dec. 25, 2025, at the age of 83.
Dr. Donoff’s tenure as dean was “marked by institutional growth, academic innovation and global impact,” according to the dental school. During that time, the school nearly doubled its research footprint, expanded community-based clinical training and helped establish Rwanda’s first dental school.
Dr. Donoff also worked as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and authored more than 100 scientific publications. He was a member of the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure from 2017 to 2020 and received the 2005 ADA Community Preventive Dentistry Award.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Madelyn, and their children, Elizabeth and Daniel.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton, MA 02459, or Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Office of Development, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, earmarked for the Donoff Scholars D.M.D. Scholarship.
