Dr. McDowell received his DDS in 1974 from Loyola University in Chicago. He has completed a Dental Diagnostic Science residency with emphasis in forensic odontology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry. He has a Master's Degree from the Graduate School of BioMedical Sciences at UTHSCSA He has completed a fellowship in geriatric dentistry with training received at the University of Texas Health Science Center and Audie Murphy Memorial Veteran's Hospital in San Antonio, TX. He has held the position of assistant professor at both the UTHSCSA School of Dentistry and the University of Colorado School of Dentistry. He is a Diplomate of the ABFO and a Fellow of the AAFS. He has served in several positions within the AAFS, presently serving as Odontology Section Representative to the AAFS Board of Directors and is a member of the AAFS Executive Committee. He has previously served on the Board of Directors of the ABFO. Dr. McDowell serves as a reviewer for professional journals and is a member of the Board of Editors of the American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. He is active in the field of oral medicine with special emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of patients with HIV infection.