Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

Purpose

Our Purpose is to Help People Lead Healthy Lives

We grow and inspire a diverse community of learners through our humanistic culture. Building on a distinguished tradition, we provide exceptional education; offer personalized quality patient care; support collaborative research; and foster commitment to service.

Vision

Improving Health and Wellness through Innovation in Programs, Partnerships and People

The University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is an innovative and renowned leader in health and wellness. As a leader, our programs prepare healthcare providers for current, future and evolving practice models. The Dugoni School integrates inter-professional education with patient care, keeping humanism at its core. We educate beginning and established healthcare professionals for an array of career paths.

Signature partnerships support our programs and enhance health, education, research, and service. Partnerships reduce tuition dependence and create opportunities for students, faculty, and staff development.

Powered by its people, the Dugoni School sets the standard for humanistic education and leadership that serve the needs of its students, patients, alumni, the organized profession, and the public.

Commitments

We commit to the following values to support the defining characteristic of our education model — humanism.  By accentuating the positive, setting high standards, and respecting the individual, we provide the best possible learning, working and healthcare environment for every member of our community.

Courage — willing to take risks, doing what is right not easy
Empowerment — supporting and inspiring individuals to fulfill their potential
Excellence — achieving the highest quality in all that we do
Innovation — imagining and applying bold, creative approaches
Integrity — exemplifying the highest personal and professional ethical principles
Leadership — inspiring through vision and challenging others to effect positive change

Clinic Mission Statement

The mission of the school's clinics is to provide patient-centered, evidence-based, quality oral healthcare in a humanistic educational environment.

The goal of the clinic mission statement is to focus faculty, staff, and students on the delivery of excellent patient care. In all clinical interactions we will strive to provide excellent care to our patients and excellent educational experiences for our students. At those times when we must make a choice between patient care and teaching effectiveness, patient care will take precedence.

There are four parts to the mission statement. Patient-centered care means being prompt, efficient, responsible, engaging, focused, and adaptable, among other things. The private practice model is the patient care model to which we aspire. Evidence-based decision making involves the use of scientific evidence to help make treatment decisions. It is used in conjunction with individual patient values to determine the best course of action for each patient. Quality oral healthcare involves providing treatment to our patients that meets community standards of care in all disciplines. It means providing that care to patients of varying needs and expectations. Humanistic education is based on honest communication of clear expectations along with positive support for diligent effort.

Faculty and staff must be models of the profession's highest standards. Students are expected to set equally high standards for their behavior. The educational environment will be intellectually stimulating, progressive in scope, outcomes-focused, and competency-based.

History of Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

One of the world's most distinctive metropolitan centers, San Francisco has been the home of the School of Dentistry since its incorporation in 1896 as the College of Physicians and Surgeons. The school has been recognized since its inception as a major resource for dental education in the Western states.

• In 1962 the College of Physicians and Surgeons joined the University of the Pacific.
• In 1967 an eight-story building was completed for the teaching of clinical dentistry and for conducting dental research.
• In 1996 the school opened a state-of-the art preclinical simulation laboratory combining the latest in educational technology with a simulated patient experience.
• In 2002 three new state-of-the-art classrooms were completed.
• In 2003 a new Health Science Center was opened on the Stockton campus combining facilities for dentistry, dental hygiene, physical therapy, and speech pathology.
• In 2004 the university named the dental school in honor of its long-standing dean, Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni.
• In 2011 the school was awarded the prestigious Gies Award for Vision by the American Dental Education Association.
• In 2014 the dental school moved to a completely renovated and updated facility in downtown San Francisco, setting the pace for new and better methods of educating students and providing care to patients.
• In 2015 the dental school became the first school in California and in the United States to have students be licensured through a portfolio exam process.
• In 2020, the dental school became the first school in the nation to have students licensed through a non-patient based manikin examination process.

Accreditation

The University of the Pacific is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The dental educational programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The School of Dentistry is a member of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). 

CODA will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students.

A copy of accreditation standards and/or the Commission's policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678 or by calling 1-800-621-8099, extension 4653.

Humanistic Education

It is the goal of the School of Dentistry to educate the highest quality practitioners who can practice independently and successfully in their patients' best interests. It is our belief that a humanistic approach to education best accomplishes this goal. Our view of humanism is based upon honest communication of clear expectations along with positive support for diligent effort. Although kindness is valued, humanism is not interpreted to mean softness, weakness, or superficial niceness. In fact, humanism places great responsibility on each member of the dental school community.

In order for this approach to work, faculty members must be models of the profession's highest standards, and they must teach in a way that encourages and energizes students. Students, in turn, are expected to set very high standards, to work hard, and to take personal responsibility for their own learning process.

Examples of humanistic student-faculty Interaction at the Dugoni School:

Includes

• Good work ethic
• Constructive feedback
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Addressing the issue
• Celebrating achievement
• Excellence
• High ethical standards
• Professional responsibility
• Increasing independence
• Attainment of competency

Excludes

• Minimum effort
• Authoritarian behavior
• Public criticism
• Ignoring the problem
• Dwelling on the negative
• Expedience
• Ethical compromise
• Avoiding responsibility
• Continued dependence
• Tolerance of inability

Standing Committees

In keeping with sound shared governance principles, the School of Dentistry incorporates the expertise and perspective of students, faculty, and administrators in the decision-making process through use of the committee system. Committees are designated according to areas of concern and authority as "faculty," "administrative," or "joint faculty-administrative" committees. Standing committees are listed below.  

Faculty Committees

The faculty has primary responsibility for recommending policy in the following areas: curriculum, subject matter and methods of instruction, research, faculty status, and those aspects of student life which are related to the educational process. Final review and decision rest with the dean, president, and Board of Regents.

• Academic Advisory Committee
• Admissions Committee, DDS
• Admissions Committee, IDS
• Curriculum Committee
• Dental Faculty Council
• Faculty Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee
• Research Committee
• Student Academic Performance and Promotions Committee
• First-Year Advisors Committee

Joint Faculty-Administrative Committees

Joint committees consider areas of major importance to faculty and administration. Administrative officials hold ultimate authority, but faculty members' and students' consultation and advice are of great importance.

• Ethics Committee
• Clinical Quality Initiatives Committee
• Student Appeals Committee

Administrative Committees

The administration has primary responsibility for maintenance of existing institutional resources and the creation of new resources. The dean plans, organizes, directs, and represents the School of Dentistry with general support from the faculty, the president, and the Board of Regents. The dean initiates, innovates, and assures that School of Dentistry standards and procedures conform to policy established by the Board of Regents and to standards of sound academic practice. Administrative committees are those in which administrative responsibility is primary and members appointed by the dean serve in an advisory capacity.

• A. W. Ward Museum Committee
• Infection Control Committee
• Managers and Directors Committee
• Strategic Plan Outcomes Committee
• Committee on Continuing Dental Education
• Store Committee
• Student Clinic Advisory Committee
• Student Financial Aid Committee

School of Dentistry Alumni Association

The Alumni Association of the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, has five membership categories:

1. Alumni Members — all graduates of the dental school, including dental hygienists and post-doctoral program graduates
2. Associate Members — dentists and hygienists who graduated from other schools and who join the Association
3. Dugoni School Family Members — non-dentists who are valued members of our community
4. Life Members - Members who have attained their 50th graduation anniversary and who have been active dues-paying members for 30 years, or who were designated this distinction prior to 1961
5. Honorary Members - non-Alumni Members and non-Associate Members who are recipients of the Medallion of Distinction Award

The Alumni Association's mission is to engage and inspire its members in meaningful relationships with students, the School of Dentistry and with each other for life. The purpose of the Association is to promote the welfare of the School, the graduates of the School, and the profession of dentistry. The excellent reputation of our school and its unequaled physical facilities are the direct result of the loyalty and active support of its alumni and the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association sponsors, or co-sponsors, many educational and social events throughout the year for alumni and students, and additionally supports students at events such as the city softball league and golf, basketball, and softball tournaments.

2024-2025 Officers

Amanda Rae Kronquist '15
President

Wesley E. Wong '98
President-Elect

Marc H. Lai '13
Vice President

Mustafa S. Radif '12 DH
Secretary

Chester C. Jeng '98
Treasurer

Peter C. Liu '89
Immediate Past President

Joanne Fox
Director

Board of Directors

Hasnain Abbas '19 IDS
Paul F. T. Ayson '99
Carsen J. Bentley '11
Kristina Cameron '98
Gina S. Chann '89
Benjamin M. Dickson '03
Steven A. Dugoni '81 Ortho
John C. Fat '88
Samuel Liu '13
Stephanie Martini '20
Teri White Mitchell '21/AEGD '22
Olivia C. Moran '19
Desmond B. Ng '20 
Lauren Yasuda Rainey '11
Christopher K. Roebken '15
Lynn E. Watanabe '95

Student Representatives

Yash Sharma '24 Ortho
Mason Tittle '24 
Jason Velasquez '24 DH

Ex-Officio

Elizabeth J. Fleming '84
Chair, Annual Meeting Committee

Lory Laughter, RDH, MS
Director, Dental Hygiene Program

Nader A. Nadershahi ’94
Dean & Vice Provost

DSF Representative

John Y. J. Kim '04
Dental School Foundation President

Staff

Andrea J. Davis
Coordinator

Rowena R. O'Connor
Manager

Dugoni School Foundation

The Dugoni School Foundation is a group of volunteers working closely with the Dean and the Development team to promote philanthropy at the School of Dentistry. The mission of the Foundation is to ensure that the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry has the resources it needs to realize its visions and goals.

The Foundation shares the school's commitment to excellence and measures success by the joy it brings to donors, by the funds it raises, by the fundraising programs it initiates, and by the continuing recruitment and retention of new, effective board members.

Dugoni School Foundation

Executive Committee

Dr. Janet Andrews '83
President

Dr. Nader Nadershahi '94
Dean

Ms. Jessica Jencek
Associate Dean for Development

Dr. Nava Fathi '95
Chair, Annual Fund

Dr. John Young Jin Kim '04
Co-Chair, External Regions

Mr. Gary Mitchell
Chair, Membership

Dr. W. Ronald Redmond '66
Campaign Co-Chair

Dr. Steve Tiret
Immediate Past President

Dr. Craig Yarborough '80
Executive Director
Assoc. Dean for Institutional Advancement

Dr. Gary Weiner '66
Campaign Co-chair

Dr. Saam Zarrabi '08
Co-Chair, External Regions

Board

Dr. Edmond Bedrossian '86

Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Bittner, Jr. '85

Dr. Susan Bittner '74A

Dr. Joseph Bronzini '66

Dr. Michael Campbell '79

Dr. Elisa LoBue-Campbell '84

Dr. David Ehsan '95

Dr. Joseph Errante '80

Dr. Ernest Giachetti '67

Dr. Brian Grey '91 Ortho

Dr. Michael Lasky '95

Dr. Jill Lasky '98

Dr. Gary Low '76

Dr. Aneet Randhawa

Dr. Stephen Rose '79

Dr. Michael Ricupito '83

Dr. V. Dean Salo '92

Dr. Kenneth Shimizu ’85, ’87 Ortho

Mr. Andrew J. Stout, WMS

Dr. M. Gabrielle "Gabby" Thodas '77, '95 Ortho

Dr. Colin Wong '65

Dr. Douglas Yarris '83

President, Alumni Association, Ex-officio Member

Dr. Jamie Sahouria '04 

Development

The Development team drives the Dugoni School’s fundraising efforts, accounting for almost 10% of revenue necessary for school operations. Thousands of alumni, students, faculty, staff, friends, foundations, and corporate donors have helped to build clinics and classrooms, fund scholarships and programs, provide dental care to patients, and support numerous projects that keep the Dugoni School strong.

Marketing & Communication

The Office of Marketing & Communication directs communications and marketing programs to increase the visibility of the dental school and to enhance its identity to various constituents. The marketing and communications team promotes not only the dental school, but also the school's students, faculty, staff, alumni, and clinics, through effective media relations, Web communications, event planning, publication development, and marketing strategies.