Introducing the 2026 to 2031 Strategic Plan
A five-year roadmap to advance – and enhance – how dentistry is taught and practiced
This story appears in the UCLA School of Dentistry's 2026 magazine
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This spring, the UCLA School of Dentistry is embarking on a five-year strategic plan that sets a bold direction for the future, building on a six-decade legacy of excellence while responding to rapid change in the profession.
At its core, the plan is about impact: Preparing future leaders, advancing discovery, expanding access to care, and strengthening the community that makes it all possible.
It aligns with the campus’s future-focused One UCLA strategic plan and is grounded in our mission to improve oral and general health locally, nationally, and globally.
Our strategic plan centers on four strategic imperatives:
Excellence in Education and Patient Care
We will accelerate scientific knowledge, strengthen infrastructure, and translate innovation into measurable benefits for patients and communities.
Research and Discovery
Our mission depends on a thriving community. We will cultivate a culture of openness, inclusion, professional growth, and shared accountability.
People and Culture
We will ensure long-term sustainability through financial strength, operational excellence, data-driven decision-making, and strategic branding.
Sustainable, Mission-Driven Growth
We will prepare graduates to thrive in integrated, technology-driven, patient-centered health systems – grounded in strong clinical reasoning, collaboration, and ethical leadership.
Follow our progress at dentistry.ucla.edu/plan
