Meet Our Dentists
Dr. Robert BlackwellDr. Robert Blackwell, DDS, received his dental degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and completed a General Practice Residency at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. He is chair of the Department of Graduate Education and director of implant dentistry at the SIU School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Blackwell enjoys traveling and playing golf in his free time.
Dr. Robert BitterDr. Robert Bitter is a licensed Illinois periodontal specialist. He received his D.M.D. degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He then completed a dental residency and anesthesia fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and his dental specialty training at Northwestern University Dental School. Dr. Bitter is a Clinical Associate Professor and teaches periodontics and implant dentistry at the SIU School of Dental Medicine in Alton. Bob and his wife, Laurie, enjoy traveling, and have two children and five grandchildren.
Dr. Debra DixonDr. Debra Dixon graduated from SIU School of Dental Medicine in 1993. She holds a Master of Science degree from the University of London in Dental Radiology. She completed the SDM’s AEGD program and was in the inaugural SDM Implant Fellowship class of 1996. Dr. Dixon recently celebrated 25 years of employment at the SDM, and is the Head of Radiology and Section Head of Diagnostic Sciences. She loves her cats, golfing, and volunteering with a local humane society.
Dr. Ioannis GkikasDr. Ioannis Gkikas DDS, OMFS, is an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. He received his dental degree from National Kapodistriako University School of Dental Medicine in Athens Greece in 1992 and completed an advanced four-year training program in maxillofacial surgery in Ippokratio University Hospital of Athens Greece in 1998. He continued his training in oral and maxillofacial surgery for two more years, as a clinical fellow, in Mount-Vernon Hospital and Central Middlesex Hospital, in London UK. After completion of his advanced training, he went into private practice limited to maxillofacial surgery in Athens Greece for the last nineteen years.
Dr. Bret GruenderDr. Bret Gruender, DMD, is a 1982 graduate of SIUE and a 1986 graduate of the SIU School of Dental Medicine. He practiced dentistry in Highland, Ill., for 30 years before retiring from private practice in 2016. A former adjunct faculty member, Dr. Gruender now teaches restorative and implant dentistry in the Department of Clinical Dentistry at the School. In his free time, Dr. Gruender enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, playing guitar and outdoor recreation.
Dr. Vasiliki KytridouDr. Vasiliki Kytridou is an assistant professor in the department of Endodontics at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. She received her DDS from National Kapodistriako University School of Dental Medicine in Athens Greece. She completed the Certificate Program in Endodontics at Baylor College of Dentistry, the Texas A &M University System, in 1998. She was in private practice limited to Endodontics for almost 20 years. She is a member of AAE, ADA, ISDS, a Certified member of the European Society of Endodontology and a founding member of the Hellenic Association of Endodontists.
Dr. Mohamed OmranDr. Mohamed Omran, BDS, MSC, has been with the SIU School of Dental Medicine since 2009. He completed his periodontal residency program in 2012 at Saint Louis University. Subsequently, he completed his implant fellowship program in 2013 at the SIU School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Omran is committed to a personalized treatment plan for each and every patient to obtain a healthy smile. In his free time, Dr. Omran enjoys playing soccer, traveling and spending time with his wife and three children.
Dr. Vincent RapiniDr. Vincent Rapini graduated from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Dentistry in 1980. He practiced in University City and then Webster Groves, MO for 37 years before retiring from private practice in 2017. Dr. Rapini has been a faculty member since 2008 and is currently appointed to the Department of Clinical Dentistry. In his spare time, Dr. Rapini enjoys spending time with his family, barbecuing, and fishing.
Dr. Poly TsotsisDr. Poly Tsotsis, DMD, MSD received her dental degree from the University of Muenster, Germany in 2012. She practiced dentistry in private practice in Berlin, Germany until 2016. In 2019 she completed her Endodontic Residency program at the University of the Pacific. Dr. Tsotsis is now teaching in the Department of Applied Dental Medicine in the Section of Endodontics. In her spare time, she enjoys to be outdoors hiking with her husband Markus and their dog Snoopy.
Dr. Jasbir UpadhyayaDr. Jasbir Upadhyaya graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from India in 1997. She practiced general dentistry for 10 years before moving to Canada in 2008 for higher education. Upon completion of a PhD program, she joined a residency program in Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology at the University of Florida. Soon after graduation in 2018, Dr. Upadhyaya joined the SIU School of Dental Medicine as an Assistant Professor. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. In her free time, Dr. Upadhyaya enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and listening to music.
Dr. Alan WickenhauserDr. Alan Wickenhauser, DMD, is a 1998 graduate of SIU School of Dental Medicine. He practiced dentistry in Bethalto, IL, for 24 years before retiring from private practice in 2022. Dr. Wickenhauser now teaches restorative dentistry as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry. In his free time, Dr. Wickenhauser enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and outdoor recreation.
