AI Symposium Explores New Frontiers in Oral Health and Medicine
Leaders in artificial intelligence, clinical care, education and research gathered January 16, 2026 at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry for the inaugural AI in Oral Health Care: From Innovation to Access Symposium.
Co-hosted by the Dugoni School of Dentistry’s Center for Innovation and Translation and the Pacific Center for Equity in Oral Health Care, the event brought together leaders from Hippocratic AI, 2-Sigma AI, PathAI, OraQ, Overjet, VELMENI, Stanford Health Care and Stanford Arise, along with faculty experts from the Dugoni School. The symposium focused on how AI can responsibly advance patient care, research, education and access across oral health care and the broader healthcare ecosystem.
Dr. Ethan Goh of Stanford University gave the keynote address, “AI Is Better Than Doctors (at Some Things), Now What?” He highlighted emerging evidence on where AI is demonstrating measurable improvements in accuracy, efficiency and scalability and discussed how clinicians and health systems can thoughtfully integrate these tools while preserving trust and accountability.
Throughout the day, panelists explored a wide range of topics, including the use of AI in clinical decision support and workflow transformation; lessons from medical AI that can be applied to dentistry; responsible and ethical use of AI in health professions education; and the growing role of AI in research, diagnostics, evidence generation and precision medicine. Speakers emphasized the importance of aligning innovation with equity, safety and real-world clinical needs.
Dr. Kavitha Parthasarathy 
Dr. Rebecca Moazzez 
Dr. Bernadette Alvear Fa ’06
Faculty Members Step into New Roles
Dr. Kavitha Parthasarathy was appointed chair of the Department of Periodontics, following the retirement of Dr. Bill Lundergan ’81. Parthasarathy, a faculty member at the school since 2015, currently serves as an associate professor in the department. Prior to joining the Dugoni School of Dentistry, she held key faculty and leadership roles at University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston, where she served as director of predoctoral periodontics. She is a diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology and maintains a private periodontal practice in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dr. Rebecca Moazzez recently accepted the role of associate dean for research. As the principal research officer for the school, Moazzez will provide strategic leadership for research activities. She also serves as professor and chair of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry—the Henry Sutro Family Endowed Chair in Restorative Dentistry—and director of the Center for Innovation and Translation. She is co-chair of University of the Pacific’s Institutional Review Board. Moazzez brings an impressive record of biomedical and clinical research achievement, grant funding and academic leadership to this new position.
Dr. Bernadette Alvear Fa ’06 has stepped into the role of director of the Center for Success, following the retirement of Dr. Craig Yarborough ’80. Fa is a professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, director of the local anesthesia curriculum and chair of the Health and Wellness Committee. She has also assumed the role of lead faculty member for the Pacific Summer High School Institute Future Dentists program. Fa is the American Dental Education Association faculty representative, president-elect of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Delta Delta chapter and was recently inducted into both the American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists.
Outreach Efforts in Coachella Valley
Three faculty members—Drs. Ned Nix ’95, Rick Chelemedos ’87 and Bardia Farahmand ’98—and more than 20 students continued a recent tradition of volunteering with California CareForce during the 2026 Coachella Valley Healthcare Clinic held February 27 – March 1, 2026 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California. Free dental services, including extractions, root canals, fillings and cleanings, were provided to local community members in need along with vision and medical services.
California CareForce is the charitable arm of the California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Volunteers from the Dugoni School of Dentistry have also participated in the organization’s previous community outreach events held in both Northern and Southern California in recent years.
Nadershahi Named ADA Executive Director
The American Dental Association (ADA) named Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi ’94 as its new executive director effective March 23, 2026, following a robust search process.
“His leadership style is defined by a profound commitment to mutual respect, attentive listening and collaborative decision making, while his long-term outlook for the association centers upon unifying generations to solve for today’s challenges while also planting seeds of opportunity for our future generations of dentists,” said Dr. Richard J. Rosato, president of the ADA.
Nadershahi assumed the role of senior vice president of education and professional affairs at the ADA in June 2025. He is dean emeritus of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and recently received the university’s Order of the Pacific award.
“The greatest institutions thrive not by the isolated brilliance of one mind, but by the unified heartbeat of its people moving forward together,” Nadershahi said. “Together, we will be good ancestors for future generations in our profession. I look forward to collaborating across our profession, shaping our future growth, building trust and prioritizing organizational clarity, financial and cultural strength, measured outcomes and ADA member value.”
ABO Honors Dr. Steven Dugoni
Dr. Steven A. Dugoni ’81 Ortho, adjunct professor in the Department of Orthodontics and secretary of the Alumni Association’s board of directors, received the American Board of Orthodontics’ Earl E. and Wilma S. Shepard Distinguished Service Award. Presented in May during the American Association of Orthodontists Annual Session in Orlando, Florida, this honor recognized Dugoni’s exceptional dedication to advancing the ideals and mission of the American Board of Orthodontics.