Lewis J. Claman, DDS, MS

Lewis Claman, DDS, MS graduated from New York University College of Dentistry in 1969. Following a General Practice Residency at Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, NY, He was stationed in the Army for two years at Fort Carson, Colorado.  He completed an M.S. degree and a Certificate in Periodontics from The Ohio State University (OSU) in 1974. Dr. Claman began at OSU as a clinical instructor in July 1974, was promoted to a tenure-track assistant professor in 1976, received tenure in 1980, and was promoted to the rank of tenured associate professor in 1991. He taught full time at Ohio State for 35 years, serving as predoctoral director of periodontology from 1998 to 2008, with a part-time practice limited to periodontics in Columbus. He retired as a full-time faculty in 2009 and has continued to teach as an emeritus associate professor at the College of Dentistry.

Dr. Claman has had several career accomplishments. He has been recognized for teaching, having received numerous student teaching awards (the most recent in 2016), the 2008 Postle teaching award, and the Outstanding Periodontal Educator Award presented during the 2006 American Academy of Periodontology annual meeting. Dr. Claman has had several college and national service accomplishments during his career. He was active in the AADS/ADEA, as Secretary/Chair Elect/Chairman and then Councilor from the Section on Periodontics. He was also the Ohio State Faculty Representative to ADEA for one 3-year term. He served on three American Academy of Periodontology committees. Since 2009, he has been an active examiner for the American Board of Periodontology Oral Examination. Dr. Claman has directed numerous College of Dentistry continuing education courses and has presented several lectures at national meetings with one international presentation. Dr. Claman continues to teach one day a week at the Ohio State College of Dentistry with contributions as a course director and guest lecturer in Division of Periodontology and at the College of Dentistry.  

The Lewis Claman Periodontal Endowment Fund was initiated in 2008 and certified by the OSU Board of Trustees in 2012. Donations have been and continue to be made by faculty, periodontal residents, dental alumni, periodontal alumni and other professionals. The fund is used to provide an award to the dental student/s who best exemplify excellence and/or interest in periodontics.