Pediatric Dentistry Alumni Day 2025 Connects Practitioners, Inspires Innovation

The UCLA School of Dentistry’s Section of Pediatric Dentistry hosted a memorable Alumni Day on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, welcoming graduates of its elite residency program and thought leaders in the field to campus for a day of learning, networking, and celebration alongside faculty and current residents.

The day began with a warm meet-and-greet with Dean Paul H. Krebsbach and Chair of Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Francisco Ramos-Gomez, segueing directly into a keynote presentation by Dr. Juan Yepes, professor of pediatric dentistry and associate dean for graduate education at Indiana University School of Dentistry. He led an in-depth discussion on the dentist’s role in identifying and managing obstructive sleep apnea in children.

That was followed by a homecoming of sorts, as Dr. Clarice Law Eyre, associate professor and chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health at the University of Tennessee, addressed behavior guidance strategies in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Eyre completed residency training in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at UCLA and served as an assistant professor in the Section until her move to Tennessee in 2022.

Afternoon sessions were led by current Peds faculty. Dr. Ramos-Gomez introduced The New Era of Minimally Invasive Pediatric Dentistry. Simultaneously, Dr. Ghassem Ansari presented on Oral Laser Applications A–Z, and Dr. Nini Tran highlighted new approaches to managing white spot lesions through both microbiome science and clinical strategy. Collectively, the academic program provided attendees with 6.5 units of continuing education credit while spotlighting the latest innovations in pediatric dental care.

Beyond the robust slate of lectures, the event was a true celebration of community. Among the approximately 100 attendees were program alumni from classes dating back to 1980. They were greeted and welcomed by Dr. Corina Ramirez, P.D. ’06, and UCLA Friends of Pediatric Dentistry president. Guests reconnected with one another over lunch and shared experiences across decades of UCLA Pediatric Dentistry cohorts, and had the opportunity to meet current residents.

“It was a wonderful day of reconnecting and sharing knowledge,” said Dr. Ramos-Gomez. “Events like this are so important because they allow our current residents to learn directly from alumni who have walked in their shoes and are now engaged in successful practices, building a stronger, more connected Peds community."

The next biennial UCLA Pediatric Dentistry Alumni Day is tentatively scheduled for August 2026.