Here stands the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. It has been shaping dental professionals for over a century. Founded in 1896, it began as the College of Physicians and Surgeons. The location was then at 818 Howard Street.
In 1899, the growing college moved. It found a new home on Fourteenth Street. By 1918, the college made a pivotal decision. It chose to focus solely on dentistry. The demand for dental care was increasing. By 1920, the number of dentists had risen significantly.
To meet the needs of WWII, the school adapted. In 1942, it converted to a year-round program. This three-year program aimed to supply dentists for the American military. The demand continued to grow. In 1945, the school expanded again. It purchased a lot behind the Fourteenth Street building. Portable units provided more space for students.
The college became part of the University of the Pacific in 1962. It was then renamed the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Ground broke for a new building in 1965. The location was 2155 Webster Street. The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry moved there in 1967.
Dr. Dale Redig became dean in 1970. He initiated a remodel. The clinics became group practices with a patient care model. The Dugoni School continued to evolve.
Student housing opened in 1983 on Post Street. The International Dental Studies program launched in 1987. Students founded SCOPE in 1994. It focused on dental health education. A state-of-the-art Simulation Laboratory opened in 1996.
The school held its first White Coat Ceremony in 1999. It marked a formal welcome into clinical practice. In 2004, the school received a new name. It became the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. This honored Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni, the long-time dean. He served for 28 years. The school completed a major fundraising campaign in 2006. It raised $65.7 million.
The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry won the Gies Award in 2011. It was recognized for its outstanding vision. A new campus structure was purchased in 2011. Renovations followed in 2012 and 2013. The official dedication took place in 2014. The campus earned LEED Gold Certification.
In 2015, students took the first portfolio licensure exam in California. Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi became the ninth dean in 2016. The Pacific Center for Special Care won a Gies Award in 2017 for innovation. A partnership with Stanford University started in 2018. Students completed the first simulation-based licensure exam in 2020.
In 2021, students administered COVID-19 vaccines. The school celebrated its 125th anniversary. The Center for Innovation and Translation launched in 2022. A historic fundraising campaign raised nearly $70 million.
In 2023, the school received a grant for the Pacific-Stanford PRIMED program. Dean Nader A. Nadershahi received a Gies Award in 2024. The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry expanded to Pacific’s Sacramento Campus.
Today, the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry stands as a testament to innovation. It embodies education in dental medicine. Its legacy continues to shape the future of dental care.