Six UCLA School of Dentistry Faculty Members Inducted into American College of Dentists
Drs. Shiva Kashanian, Sheila Yaghmai, Jia Chang, Rana Al Rasheed, Julie Kim, and Paula Ortega-Verdugo were recognized during the organization's 2026 convocation in Santa Barbara.
Six UCLA School of Dentistry faculty members were inducted as fellows of the American College of Dentists (ACD) on Saturday, Oct. 24, joining one of the dental profession's most prestigious honorary organizations.
Drs. Shiva Kashanian, Sheila Yaghmai, Jia Chang, Rana Al Rasheed, Julie Kim, and Paula Ortega-Verdugo were recognized during ACD's 2026 Annual Meeting in Santa Barbara, Calif., for their professional achievements, leadership, and contributions to dentistry.
The School's six newest ACD fellows – pictured left-to-right above – are:
- Shiva Kashanian, D.D.S. — Continuing Lecturer, Section of Restorative Dentistry
- Sheila Yaghmai, D.D.S., M.P.H. — Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor, Section of Interdisciplinary Dentistry
- Jia Chang, D.D.S., Ph.D. — Associate Professor, Section of Periodontics
- Rana Al Rasheed, B.D.S. — Health Sciences Clinical Assistant Professor, Section of Interdisciplinary Dentistry
- Julie Y. Kim, D.D.S., M.P.H. — Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor, Section of Restorative Dentistry
- Paula Ortega-Verdugo, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D. — Assistant Professor, Section of Public and Population Health
Founded in 1920, the ACD is one of dentistry's oldest and most prestigious honorary organizations, with more than 7,000 fellows. Fellowship is by invitation only and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and contributions to the dental profession and society. The organization is dedicated to advancing excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership in dentistry.
