Dean's Message

Foundation for a Greater Good

Thank you for taking the time to read the third issue of the UCLA Dentistry bi-annual magazine. As we head into 2019 and say goodbye to 2018, I’d like to recognize the hard work of all our faculty, staff, and students this past year. It’s our collective dedication to excellence in education, research, patient care, and public service that sets us apart. A special thank you also to our alums and friends; your support helps us achieve our vision and goals.

In this particular issue, we focus on our pediatric dentistry clinics, our residency programs, and three impressive alums. We found a running theme in our conversations with our pediatric dentists—they are inclined to use their training and skills for the greater good. Whether this is through working in non-traditional settings, volunteering, or pursuing public health opportunities, pediatric dentists are empathetic, compassionate professionals. This wasn’t a surprise; it was a validation of something we already knew. UCLA Pediatric Dentistry has been making valuable contributions to UCLA’s surrounding communities, and to the specialty overall, for more than 50 years. This is evidenced by the care we provide to hundreds of children every year and by the caliber of the alums who complete our program. I hope you enjoy reading about how the UCLA School of Dentistry is creating the foundation for a healthy future for our most precious patients.

In addition, we welcome Dr. Hung Ton-That to our faculty. He is making UCLA his professional home after being away for nearly two decades. We also feature long-time volunteer faculty member, Dr. Ray Padilla, one of the few sports dentistry and dental trauma experts in the country.

If you have an idea for a story or just want to send us your thoughts about what was featured in this magazine, please email us at info@dentistry.ucla.edu. Your opinions and thoughts are important to us.

Sincerely,

Paul H. Krebsbach, DDS, PhD
Dean and Professor