Drs. Mogharabi and Kermani Embark on Board of Counselors Leadership Terms
Longtime Bruins share commitment to mentorship, service, and advancing the UCLA School of Dentistry
Mitra Mogharabi ’86, D.D.S. ’90, began her two-year term as chair of the UCLA School of Dentistry’s Board of Counselors on July 1, 2026, with Hedi Kermani ’91, D.D.S. ’95, M.D.S., serving as vice-chair. Their appointments run through June 30, 2028.
Both UCLA alumni, Drs. Mogharabi and Kermani have remained deeply connected to the School of Dentistry and university long after graduation, helping strengthen its community and support future generations of Dental Bruins.
Dr. Mogharabi succeeds Oariona Lowe, D.D.S., P.D. ’84, M.P.H. ’16, who served as chair for the previous two academic years and remains on the Board as immediate past chair.
The Board of Counselors brings together distinguished alumni and friends who provide counsel and support to School leadership. Through advocacy, philanthropy, mentorship, and engagement, its members help advance the School’s mission in dental education, research, patient care, and community service.
A double Bruin with more than three decades of service, Dr. Mogharabi has contributed to the UCLA community as an alumna, educator, parent, and volunteer leader. She joined the Board of Counselors in 2020 and spent the previous two years as vice-chair, working alongside Dr. Lowe in preparation for assuming the chair position.
"My vision is for our Board to be an advocate and ambassador for UCLA Dentistry, strengthening the student experience while advancing clinical excellence, research, innovation, and community impact. Together, we can be a catalyst for growth, bring our collective expertise and connections to the School, and create opportunities that empower the next generation of dental professionals,” said Dr. Mogharabi.
A Double Bruin, Dr. Mogharabi studied microbiology at UCLA before earning her D.D.S. from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1990. Since 1991, she has served as a continuing lecturer in the school’s Section of Restorative Dentistry, teaching both preclinical courses and the clinic. Dr. Mogharabi is the owner of Encino Boutique Dentistry, a private practice centered on personalized patient care, clinical excellence, and long-term relationships with her patients, while continuing to share her experience and passion for dentistry through her teaching and mentorship at UCLA.
Her ties to the School extend across generations. Dr. Mogharabi is the parent of Sara Ardehali, D.D.S. ’23, and has made supporting students a defining part of her volunteer work. Through the Board’s Leadership Institute, she has helped connect students with accomplished professionals and opportunities to develop leadership skills beyond the classroom.
Outside UCLA, Dr. Mogharabi previously chaired the Parent Council at Barnard College, Columbia University, for five years and currently serves as a trustee of the Iranian American Women’s Foundation, which honored her at its 2025 Women of Influence Soirée for supporting its mission of mentoring and empowering future generations.
Joining Dr. Mogharabi as vice-chair is Dr. Kermani, a proud Bruin whose years of engagement with UCLA reflect her enduring support for the School and its students.
Dr. Kermani majored in biochemistry at UCLA before receiving her D.D.S. from the School of Dentistry in 1995, concurrently completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry certificate.
She subsequently completed orthodontic residency training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, where her master’s thesis led to publication in the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. She went on to become a board-certified orthodontist and Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
An entrepreneur and respected Orange County practitioner, Dr. Kermani founded Newport Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry, building a multispecialty practice serving children, teens, and adults. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to continuing education, volunteerism, and mentorship, including guiding undergraduate students interested in dentistry and health professions.
“Giving back to UCLA School of Dentistry is very meaningful to me because it’s where my journey in dentistry began. The education, mentorship, and experiences I had at UCLA played such an important role in shaping my career and who I am today,” said Dr. Kermani, who, like Dr. Mogharabi, is a Dental Bruin parent. Her daughter Ariana Kermani, D.D.S. ’25, is in her second year as(l-r) a UCLA Orthodontics resident.(l-r)
“Supporting the School is one of the ways I can show my gratitude and help provide future students with the same opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. I believe giving back is about remembering where you came from and helping make a difference for those who come after you,” she added.
In addition to serving as Vice-Chair of the UCLA School of Dentistry’s Board of Counselors, Dr. Kermani serves as Finance Chair of the California Association of Orthodontists. Through these leadership roles, she is committed to advancing dental education, strengthening the profession, and giving back to the institutions and organizations that have shaped her career.