By Ashley Musick
In her Sacramento-based prosthodontic practice, Dr. Diana Fat ’99 employs cutting-edge dental technology in service of a timeless mission: providing personalized, compassionate care while embracing innovations that deliver better outcomes for patients.
“I grew up in a dental office,” Fat recalls. “My dad would take me with him on Saturdays, and I loved watching him interact with patients.” That early exposure to her father’s (Dr. Ken Fat’s) dental practice eventually led her to a post-undergraduate position at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry’s Orofacial Pain Clinic, working with Drs. Peter Chase and Peter Jacobsen.
Witnessing the Dugoni School’s humanistic approach firsthand convinced Fat to apply to the DDS program. She was accepted, and discovered her passion for prosthodontics during her time as a dental student. “I really enjoyed the artistic, creative side of dentistry,” she explains. “Prosthodontics combines that creativity with problem-solving for complex cases—it’s like putting together a puzzle.”
After graduating from dental school in 1999, Fat moved to New Orleans to complete an Advanced General Dentistry residency at Louisiana State University, where her interest in full-mouth rehabilitation led her to pursue prosthodontic specialty training under Dr. Gerard Chiche, world renowned for his work in dental aesthetics.
Following her residency, Fat returned to Sacramento in 2006 and joined an established Midtown practice with a fellow Dugoni School alumnus, Dr. Jeff Vernon ’77. “He was a great mentor for me,” Fat recalls.
A 2017 office remodel transformed the space into a state-of-the-art facility, where she now handles everything from full-mouth restorations to complex implant cases. Fat’s practice exemplifies how technology elevates patient care in prosthodontics through digital tools including intraoral scanners, 3D printing and CAD/CAM systems for in-house restorations. “We can now do things in one appointment that used to take multiple visits,” she notes. “I can share digital files instantly with specialists or labs anywhere in the world—and patients love being able to see their smile design digitally before we even start treatment.”
Yet technology alone doesn’t define her practice philosophy. “At the end of the day, it’s about listening to what your patients want and need,” she reflects. “With technology, you still have to know the fundamentals, but it’s a tool that helps us achieve better results faster.”
This collaborative mindset extends beyond patient care. Fat remains actively involved with the Sacramento District Dental Society, believing that engagement in organized dentistry is fundamental to advancing the profession. “By sharing knowledge, supporting innovation and learning from one another, we continually elevate how we deliver care,” she explains.
That philosophy shapes her practice culture. Her colleague, Dr. Roman Shvets, observes, “What truly sets her apart is her ability to thoughtfully integrate advanced technology into everyday clinical practice in a way that genuinely improves patient outcomes. It’s rare to see such seamless integration of advanced technology, clinical expertise and patient-centered care in one practice.”
“Dr. Fat stands out for blending technical precision with a strong artistic touch, creating restorations that are both functional and natural looking,” adds Todd Fong, CDT and master ceramist who works in Fat’s in-office laboratory. “She uses advanced technology to improve accuracy, but always prioritizes personalized, patient-specific outcomes.”
Fat’s connection to the Dugoni School runs deep, with extensive family ties spanning three generations. Her father Dr. Ken Fat, a UCSF alumnus, served as president of the Dugoni School Foundation board and was instrumental in supporting the school’s Pacific Health Care Collaborative in Sacramento. Her brother, Dr. John C. Fat ’88, serves on the Alumni Association board, while her sister-in-law, Dr. Shareen Char-Fat ’86, practices alongside her father Ken at Fat Dentistry. Her husband, Cy Carpenter, MD, MPH, is the son of the late Dr. William Carpenter, a beloved longtime Dugoni School faculty member and chair. Even the next generation continues the tradition—her niece, Dr. Michelle Fat ’19, graduated from the Dugoni School before pursuing an endodontic residency at University of Washington.
“Being part of this dental family has given me a deep appreciation for what the Dugoni School represents,” Fat reflects. “The humanistic approach, the emphasis on giving back—those values were instilled in all of us.”
Looking ahead, Fat sees endless possibilities in how technology will continue to evolve prosthodontics. “I’m excited about advancements like AI helping with treatment planning and creating better materials,” she says. “But what won’t change is the relationship between doctor and patient—that’s always going to be at the heart of what we do.”
Ashley Musick is a freelance writer from Southern California.