Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Viewbook

A World of Opportunities

Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

You’ll find a world of opportunities as a member of the Dugoni School family. Through clinical experiences, research, community service and leadership opportunities, you’ll grow both as a person and as a professional. You’ll learn more about the important connections between oral health and overall health, and study with leading experts in the field at our state-of-the-art campus in San Francisco.

The Dugoni School has been like a huge family to me. It does not matter if you are working, studying or teaching. Everyone cares about each other and they always have time for you. It was — and is — really important for me to get trained in a school that not only teaches me skills and clinical techniques, but also cares about every single individual as a whole person.

Sahar Rahnemabayat

Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2024

Hometown: Shiraz, Iran

Vineet Gangadharan

Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2024

Hometown: Modesto, CA

FRONT COVER PHOTO

The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is committed to providing a world-class dental education for our students and comprehensive, affordable patient care for adults and children in a humanistic environment.

Our school is highly regarded for its:

– Humanistic model of education that respects the dignity of each individual and fosters limitless potential for growth;

– Accelerated year-round predoctoral program where students are able to complete four academic years of instruction in three calendar years; and

– Innovation in dental curriculum, including comprehensive patient care and competency-based education

Programs

Doctor of Dental Surgery | Accelerated three-year program

International Dental Studies

Dental Hygiene | Bachelor of Science

Graduate Orthodontics Residency

Advanced Education in Endodontics Residency

International General Dentist Educator Program | PhD/Endo

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Internship

Dental Sleep Medicine Fellowship

Pre-Dentistry | Accelerated Pre-Dental Advantage Program (3+3)

*Applications to Pre-Dentistry programs are coordinated by University of the Pacific’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions for entry into the College of the Pacific

“At Pacific, we grow people and along the way they become doctors.” — Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni

Student Life – Immerse Yourself in Opportunities to Connect and Grow

With more than 30 student clubs and organizations at the Dugoni School, there are always new experiences to enhance your life as a student here. Events include social gatherings and class retreats across the Bay Area, local and international community outreach, sports, cultural festivities, networking and other extra-curricular activities organized by student affinity groups.

Whether you become a student officer, join a study club, conduct research, volunteer in the community, play on a basketball team or organize a talent show, you can gain valuable experience, make lifelong connections and have a richer experience while in dental school.

What makes this community special is the approachability of everyone, from professors to administrative staff. This level of accessibility is rare, and it sets the Dugoni School apart from other institutions. I have found that the school provides ample opportunities for students to form meaningful connections with mentors, which is often a struggle at larger universities. Additionally, the Mosaic Mentorship Program has been an invaluable resource for me as a first-generation student, helping me integrate into the school community and connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Alini Agnes

Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2024

Hometown: Compton, CA

Learning and Leading

Leadership, as one of the Dugoni School’s core values, is a central theme of our programs and people. Opportunities abound to build leadership skills, get involved in the community and make an impact on the profession.

My time at the Dugoni School has significantly changed my career and education in unprecedented ways. While I can vouch for the strong academic and clinical education, my involvement in organized dentistry has shifted my perspective on the future of this profession. As one of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) district trustees, I have the privilege of expanding my dental network, collaborating with all dental schools in California, and advocating for dental students on the national level.

Robert Zhou

Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2024

Hometown: Moraga, CA

When I first speak to students, I ask them where they see themselves 20 years from now. I encourage them to envision a future that is more expansive than the clinical practice of dentistry. We aim for our students to graduate believing “I’m Possible,” that each of them can make an important difference as leaders in their communities, organized dentistry and health care.

Dean Nadershahi –

Helping Others Reach their Full Potential

Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi ’94 — an alumnus of the Dugoni School — brings out the best in others through his supportive and encouraging style, reflecting our approach to humanistic education. In addition to his role as dean, he has served at all levels of the profession, including as national board chair of the American Dental Education Association (2022-23). He holds or has held other leadership roles at organizations including California’s Health Workforce Education and Training Council, American Dental Association, California Dental Association and Santa Fe Group, and locally serves on the boards of the Bay Area Council and San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

I feel that the Dugoni School family actually enjoys going the extra mile. The greatest strength is how supported we students are. We have access to so many amazing staff and faculty who genuinely care about our wellbeing and success. Some are even so interested they'll wave you down while you're walking through the school. What's even better is that this genuine support continues outside the school through the Alumni Association.

Arlen Downing

Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2025

Hometown: Vallejo, CA

There is nothing quite like being among peers who, having come from wildly diverse walks of life, merge together on the same path to a unifying goal. The Dugoni School family holds an irrevocable space in my life. Every day, I am happy to find myself among, and have the chance to get to know, some of the friendliest, most intelligent and most interesting folks in the field. I think it’s made extra special by the diversity of our group, the varying backgrounds and perspectives everyone brings and the supportive environment everyone has created.

Dr. Mirna Merhi-Boghossian

International Dental Studies Class of 2024

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon

Top Reasons Students Choose the Dugoni School

■ Three-year DDS program

■ Clinical excellence

■ Innovative curriculum

■ Supportive Dugoni School family environment

■ State-of-the art facilities

■ High quality of faculty, staff and administrators

■ Leadership opportunities

■ Research and innovation

■ Community involvement

■ Vibrant location

Our Purpose is to Help People Lead Healthy Lives

If I could choose one word to describe my experience at the Dugoni School thus far, it would be "fulfilling." I chose the Dugoni School for world-class training and that is exactly what I have received. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by the brightest and most talented mentors and peers each day.

Brad Renner

Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2025

Hometown: Tampa, FL

Faculty Dedicated to Student Success

The Pacific Dental Helix Curriculum is our unique model that integrates content across disciplines, emphasizing active learning and the development of critical thinking. Hallmarks of the Helix model are active classrooms, small-group case-based learning, and prudent use of technology to extend learning beyond the traditional lecture hall. Our expert faculty bring decades of extensive, real-world experience in professional clinical practice. Our dental clinic teams provide students with an experience of modern, comprehensive patient care that they will encounter in private practice.

I am currently a part-time instructor at the Dugoni School. The Tuesdays and Thursdays I teach each week are easily the most enjoyable days of my work week. It’s a great pleasure to be in the clinic with personable, bright, motivated and ethically grounded students. They represent the future of our great profession! To have the opportunity to personally mentor some of them as they navigate their individual career paths is especially rewarding.

Dr. Mark Stevenson

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics Board-Certified Endodontist

I am passionate about teaching critical thinking, and I teach integrated content to first-year and second-year dental students. The Dugoni School family has great teams, smart students, charismatic leaders and passionate educators who come together quickly and easily to accomplish their goals. The humanistic culture is like an invisible cloak that envelops the Dugoni School family and helps us be cohesive and effective.

Dr. Parvati Iyer Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Sciences and Course Director — Integrated Clinical Sciences II Department of Diagnostic Sciences

Alumni Connections

My experience at the Dugoni School as a student was exactly as it should have been. It was three years full of learning, growing my bedside manner and reaching my potential as a new dentist. I was so lucky to be surrounded by awesome classmates, the best faculty, the most dedicated team in the building and a savvy administrative team. What I didn't realize at the time, was that once I accepted my position in the Class of 2004, I was starting a lifelong relationship with our Dugoni School family. What a pleasant journey it's been so far! I also enjoy serving on the Alumni Association board and teaching in the pediatric clinic.

Dr. Jamie J. Sahouria DDS Class of 2004, AEGD Class of 2005 Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry Sahouria Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Rohnert Park, CA

The Dugoni School’s network of alumni is one of the school’s strongest assets. Students benefit from this powerful alumni network through one-on-one mentorships, job opportunities, professional advice and other services provided by the Alumni Association and the Center for Success, both dedicated to connecting students and alumni.

When choosing a dental school, I knew I wanted an exceptional clinical experience, opportunities for growth and an exciting location to live in for a few years. As I reflect on these values upon graduation, I can confidently say that the Dugoni School has exceeded each of these.

Dr. Taylor Cone

Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA