When Dr. Armando Soto Rojas joined the IU School of Dentistry in 2003, he brought with him a passion for prevention and public health. Now, more than two decades later, he is retiring effective May 31, 2026, leaving a lasting impact on students, patients, and communities across Indiana.
Soto Rojas earned his DDS degree from the Universidad Intercontinental, Mexico City, as well as his dental license in 1985. Subsequently, he received his M.S. in dental public health in 1990 from King’s College School of Medicine and Dentistry in London, where he also delivered dental care through various hospitals in London and Spain. Soon after, he returned to the Universidad Intercontinental to work as a faculty member in preventive dentistry—a focus that became his life’s work.
That transition ultimately led to a pivotal professional connection. In a twist of fate, Dr. Angeles Martinez Mier was hired to work with him at the Universidad Intercontinental. The two developed a strong working relationship and eventual friendship. Martinez Mier joined the IU School of Dentistry (IUSD) in the late 1990s and reached out to Soto Rojas about a postdoctoral position in 2003. Soto Rojas was already quite familiar with IUSD’s reputation from textbooks and his former professors, so he accepted. For the next 23 years, he influenced IUSD students and expanded community outreach efforts across Indiana.
“I’m most proud of my service and outreach programs, especially SEAL Indiana,” Soto Rojas said, reflecting on his time with IUSD. “Teaching dental students our preventive and public health philosophy and going with them to do health promotion and work with patients outside the school—not many people are doing that, and I hope I made an impact on the people who live here and my students.”
Soto Rojas will leave the school with fond memories of working with students who later became his friends, hanging out with faculty during retreats and conferences, and savoring moments of laughter with his IUSD colleagues. He’s immensely gratified to have helped advance IUSD’s preventive-oriented philosophy to benefit patients. He will also carry with him a deep sense of pride in his civic engagement and the relationships he’s built over the years.
“We have such a tremendous team of experts here in prevention and cariology,” he said. “Through that, I’ve been able to build partnerships with people at the Indiana Department of Health, Special Olympics, La Plaza, Head Start programs, and Indianapolis Public Schools. Other good partners such as the Delta Dental Foundation made our work possible and allowed me to expand on my outreach and civic engagement.”
Soto Rojas appreciates many people who have helped and supported him throughout his IUSD career—faculty, staff, and students—and says there are too many to thank. He would like to specifically express gratitude to Dr. Angeles Martinez Mier for her leadership, support, and friendship. Dr. Karen Yoder introduced him to SEAL Indiana and was a great leader who strongly influenced his career. And Dr. Frank Lippert was a close colleague and friend.
When he retires, Soto Rojas plans to travel to state and national parks, relax by taking road trips, and add to his photography collection and skills.
He also hopes to spend time with his 92-year-old mom and family, who reside in Mexico. “I’ve been away for 20 years, and I want to spend more time with her, take care of her, and help her,” he said.