Recapping an Incredible 60th Anniversary Celebration

cake that reads "UCLA School of Dentistry 60th Anniversary
Putting an exclamation point on the UCLA School of Dentistry's 60th Anniversary Celebration, Dean Paul H. Krebsbach raised a glass to toast 60 years of transformative excellence, and cut this branded cake.
October 4, 2024

Equal parts educational and festive, the UCLA School of Dentistry’s 60th Anniversary Celebration brought together a diverse cross-section of the Dental Bruin community on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Geffen Hall.

Following an informal lunch on the Revive Café patio, the focus moved inside for a four-part academic program centered on the School’s four pillars of excellence on which it was founded in 1964: Education, patient care public service, and research.

Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Dr. Edmond Hewlett led things off with Teaching the HeArt and Science of Dentistry at UCLA, sharing examples of innovative programs that cultivate the application of critical thinking – including case study examples posed to current D.D.S. students – as well as principles of social equity and cutting-edge science and technology in clinical dental practice.

The first of two panel discussions – Bringing the Dental School to the Community – saw Kyle Tupaz, M.B.A., fund manager for the School’s Community-Based Clinical Education (CBCE) program, joined by three young alumni and a current student: Sahar Hamid, D.D.S. ’24, Roblen Nieblas, D.D.S. ’19, Tiffany Kim, D.D.S. ’24, G.P. ’25, and Matthew Nguyen, D.D.S. ’25. Each panelist gained invaluable rotation experience beyond Westwood, serving communities in need, while Drs. Hamid and Nieblas now practice at CBCE-affiliated sites.


Following intermission was an opportunity to hear from patients and their families during Caring for Those with the Greatest Challenges. Dr. Eric Sung, D.D.S. ’90, invited Dora and Rene Rivas to explain how their daughter Vickie is treated in the School’s Special Patient Care Clinic, while Barbara Bennett shared her experience being fitted for multiple prosthetic noses in the Maxillofacial Prosthetics Clinic following her skin cancer surgery. The session was punctuated by the Rivas family presenting Dr. Sung with a financial contribution to SPCC as thanks for Vicki’s nearly two decades of care.

To close the program, Associate Dean of Research Dr. Yvonne Hernandez-Kapila, presented Our Journey Through Research and Discovery. From oral disease and cancer prevention to innovative diagnostic methods and therapeutic interventions, Dr. Hernandez-Kapila acknowledged the scientists who made significant breakthroughs in School of Dentistry labs over the past 60 years. She ended with an overview of new programs aimed at enhancing research opportunities for our community and a five-year roadmap of research focus areas.

Attendees were then invited to Geffen Hall’s lower courtyard for a dinner reception and innovation showcase featuring event sponsors Aidite and Supermouth. Putting an exclamation point on the Celebration, Dean Paul H. Krebsbach raised a glass to toast 60 years of transformative excellence, followed by cake cutting. 

Additional 60th-anniversary content:
• Photo Gallery
• Through the Decades of a Diamond Anniversary (academic timeline)
• Sixty Years of the UCLA SOD Student Experience (curated by ASB)