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Center for Innovation and Translation Expands Research Partnerships

Over the past year, the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry’s Center for Innovation and Translation has significantly expanded its clinical research and technology-driven innovation initiatives, strengthening collaborations with more than 20 industry partners. These partnerships are advancing AI-powered diagnostics, precision medicine and emerging healthcare technologies. 

In 2024, the center completed two successful projects and is currently managing 16 active studies, spanning genetic testing, AI-enhanced imaging, bioelectronic therapies and digital education tools—each designed to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. These programs are supported by a team of 23 dental school faculty members who serve as principal and co-investigators, leading research that addresses pressing challenges and opportunities in oral health care.

Additionally, the center is proud to collaborate with University of the Pacific and Dugoni School of Dentistry alumni who are at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Many of these alumni are now industry leaders and startup founders, working alongside faculty members to develop and test cutting-edge solutions.  

The center’s partnerships include Overjet, OraQ AI, Vigilant Biosciences and Straumann, among others.  

The center also plays a leading role in the Pacific-Stanford PRIMED program, a collaboration between the Dugoni School of Dentistry and Stanford University School of Medicine funded by a five-year, $3.8 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. PRIMED focuses on training the next generation of clinical oral health researchers by providing formal education, mentorship and hands-on research opportunities to students, residents, faculty and alumni. 

“Our mission is to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world clinical practice by fostering partnerships that drive meaningful innovations,” said Dr. Rebecca Moazzez, professor and chair of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry and director of the center. “Through our collaborations, we are shaping the future of oral health care, ensuring that the latest research findings translate into improved patient outcomes.” 

Alumni can apply for training and participate in practice-based research networks. To learn more, contact director Dr. Rebecca Moazzez at rmoazzez@pacific.edu or associate director Dan Abrahams at dabrahams@pacific.edu.

Pacific Center Symposium Focuses on Aging and Dental Care

The dental school’s Pacific Center for Equity in Oral Health Care hosted a symposium, focused on a wide range of issues impacting older adults and their oral health, on February 8, 2025 at Pacific’s Sacramento campus. 

Experts from USC, UCLA, Harvard, the Dugoni School of Dentistry and Pacific’s School of Health Sciences presented at the symposium. Representatives from organizations that advocate for and support the needs of older individuals across the region were also on hand, including the Agency on Aging Area 4, RDHAP Connect, McGeorge’s Elder and Health Law Clinic and the Center for Oral Health.

Older adults have the lowest rate of dental insurance of any demographic and many struggle to access dental care. Presenters spoke about the exclusion of dental benefits in Medicare, variable access to oral health care through Medicare Advantage plans and the most recent changes to the Medicare program to provide coverage for medically necessary dental care. Experts also shared insights about aging in modern society, erosive tooth wear, endodontic considerations for older adults, bone density implications for oral health and other topics.

“Many people are diagnosed with chronic systemic diseases when they are 40 or 50 years old, so waiting to focus on oral health to support systemic health at older ages is too late,” said Dr. Elisa Chávez, professor of diagnostic sciences and director of the Pacific Center for Equity in Oral Health Care.

The Pacific Center also announced that it has formed an internal advisory panel with the goal of ensuring that its programs positively impact students, patients and all those served through the Dugoni School of Dentistry. Each advisory panel member has deep expertise and commitment to dental education and oral health that will help guide special projects and initiatives for the Pacific Center. The center is a resource for those who want to create new opportunities and initiatives, to facilitate partnerships that advance ideas into action and to highlight activities on and off the school’s campus that increase access to oral health education, care and resources for both the general public and the dental profession.

New Interns and Fellows Join the Dugoni School Family

In the last two years, several departments at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry have been expanding opportunities for those looking for additional education and clinical training by launching new internships and fellowships.

The Department of Orthodontics recently launched a Dental Sleep Medicine Fellowship program in collaboration with Stanford University’s Sleep Medicine program and the San Francisco VA Hospital’s Sleep Surgery program. The Dugoni School’s fellowship program was created in 2023 and currently accepts one fellow per year.

This year, the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is launching a one-year Anesthesiology Internship program for dentists who are seeking to become dentist anesthesiologists and want to gain an additional year of education and experience in anesthesiology and perioperative care prior to beginning a dental anesthesiology residency program. One intern will start in this program in June 2025. In 2021, the department launched a one-year internship position for dentists interested in gaining an additional year of education and experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery beyond that which is taught during dental school, and who are preparing to apply to OMFS residency training programs. The current class includes two interns.

Last year, the Department of Endodontics created a one-year Endodontics Internship to provide expanded endodontic knowledge and learning experiences beyond those of predoctoral education and introduce interns to the expectations of specialty residency training. The program runs from January to December.

To explore more details about these programs, visit pacific.edu/dental/academic-programs. 

A Spring Break with Purpose: Volunteers Provide Care to Underserved Communities in Guatemala and the Philippines

During spring break, students and faculty dedicated their time and skills to help underserved populations through the school’s global service learning initiative. Volunteer teams traveled to Guatemala and the Philippines, where they provided essential dental care, gained hands-on experience and deepened their commitment to community service and global oral health.

Some students traveled to a dental clinic in Santo Domingo Xenacoj, located just outside Antigua, Guatemala—a site familiar to school volunteers from past service trips. Established by the Pacific Dental Services Foundation in 2015, the clinic serves local patients year-round with the help of volunteer dental professionals, including Dugoni School students and residents.

“Taking part in the dental service trip to Guatemala was an eye-opening experience,” shared Ruth Rauca, Class of 2025. “It was incredible to see the impact we could make by providing care to underserved communities, and it truly reinforced my passion for dentistry and the power of giving back. This trip has been one of my favorite experiences from my time at the Dugoni School.”

“I believe that the value of human interaction lies in empathy, care, and patience,” added Jane Yu, Class of 2025. “Our dental service trip to Guatemala embodied this, and I’m truly grateful to have been a part of the school’s team, making dental care more accessible to underserved communities. Thank you to everyone who made this unforgettable experience possible.”

In the Philippines, students traveled to the province of Cebu for the school’s first return to the region since 2019. They delivered critical dental services to communities with limited access to oral health care and renewed the school’s commitment to global outreach.

“During our trip, we had the opportunity to meet with the vice principal of Guadalupe Elementary School, who personally thanked our team and shared the sobering reality of dental care access in the region,” said Bianca Bondoc, Class of 2025. “With only one community dentist serving 127 schools and limited free clinic availability, many children wait years for an appointment—impacting their ability to learn and thrive. Hearing this reinforced the significance of our mission, the lasting impact of our work and the power of empathy in patient care.”