Elbert Tom, M.P.H., D.D.S.
Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor, Group Practice Director
Primary Location
30-118 CHS
UCLA School of Dentistry
10833 Le Conte Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668
Phone
(310) 206-9264
Email
etom@dentistry.ucla.edu
About
Elbert Tom, M.P.H., D.D.S. is a Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor, Group Practice Director and axiUm Coordinator at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He joined the dental school faculty in 1988. He has extensive experience in academia, in the private sector as a practicing dentist as well as vast volunteer experience in local and global communities. He serves as the Editor of the San Fernando Valley Dental Society’s Dental Dimensions and ADA Faculty Ambassador to UCLA.
Additional Information
- Co-course Chair of Preclinical Waxing Course for Freshmen, RFE 101
- Clinical Restorative Faculty, Venice Dental Clinic
- Direct Restorative Preclinical Instructor, RFE 103, RFE 207
- Clinical Faculty in Oral Radiology
- Course Chair in Radiographic Interpretation, DS 422b, DS 422c
- Consultant for Dental Board of California
- MEND Volunteer/Global Brigades Volunteer
Research & Interests
- Organized Dentistry
- Community Dentistry
- Senior Health Care
- Volunteerism and Altruism in Dentistry
- Social Determinants of Health Care
- Restorative Dentistry
- Dental Materials and Effect on Environment
Education and Degree(s)
- B.A., Psychology, UCLA, 1978
- M.P.H., University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1979
- D.D.S., University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, 1985 OKU Designate
- Certificate in General Practice Residency (2 year), V.A. Sepulveda Medical Center, 1987
Publications
- ”Low Level Laser Therapy with Violet-blue and Blue Lights and Lasers in Dentistry: A Review Article”, Ram M. Vaderhobli, Elbert Tom, D.D.S., Alireza Karimi, Utsavi Kapadia, accepted for publication to “The Journal of Multidisciplinary Care” “Decisions in Dentistry”
- ”Evidence Based Summary of Success Rates of Custom Cast Post vs. Fiber Post: A Systematic Review.” Megha Rao D.D.S., Elbert Tom, D.D.S., Sean S. Mong, D.D.S., Ram Vaderhobli, D.D.S., Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants, Summer 2023—a Pub Med Journal 10.1615/JLongTermEffMedImplants.2024049183
- Dental Dimensions, Spring 2024—Dental Journal Published By The San Fernando Valley Dental Society, May 2024 https://www.sfvds.org/docs/localcasanfernandovalleycalifornialibraries/…
- ”Advancing Sustainable Dentistry: A Comprehensive Survey and Analysis at the UCLA School of Dentistry”, Tom, E., San Fernando Valley Dental Society Dental Dimensions
- “UCLA Dental Students’ Humanitarian Odyssey: Bringing Smiles and Essential Care to Central American Refugees in Tijuana”, Elbert Tom, D.D.S., Published Angels in Medicine, February 26, 2024 | https://www.medangel.org/?p=4242&preview=1&_ppp=76e63f5b3d
- “Preserving the Strength and Integrity of Our Profession Through Organized Dentistry: What It Means to be an ADA Member and an ADA Faculty Ambassador”, published in the American Dental Association News, June 2024 | https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/viewpoint/my-view/2024/june/my-view-wh…
- ”Bridging the Gap: Kids’ Community Dental Clinic Provides Essential Care for Low-Income Families”, Elbert Tom, D.D.S., San Fernando Valley Dental Society Dental Dimensions, Spring 2024 and Angels in Medicine, May 27, 2024 | https://www.medangel.org/?p=4928&preview=1&_ppp=d3677c088a https://www.medangel.org/bridging-the-gap-kids-community-dental-clinic-…
- Today Show (online) interview on Scaling and Root Planing, August 2, 2024 | https://www.today.com/health/deep-dental-cleaning-rcna165159
- “Community Involvement and Volunteerism in Honduras”, Tom, E., San Fernando Valley Dental Society Dental Dimensions, Spring 2013 | https://sitefinity.ada.org/docs/librariesprovider143/default-document-l…
Honors and Awards
- ADA Faculty Ambassador to UCLA
- Faculty Recognition by the Class of 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- 2024 Award Recipient of Community-Engaged Course Development Grant, Center for Community Engagement, UCLA
- University of Tennessee Dental College-High Honors During Dental School
- Richard and Marguerite Taylor Dean Honor Society
- UTCHS Certificate of Merit for High Scholastic Dental Honors
- UCLA Honors Program
- Alpha Mu Gamma (National Collegiate Foreign Language Honor Society)
- Eta Sigma Gamma (National Health Education Honor Society)
Membership and Service
- American Dental Association
- California Dental Association
- San Fernando Valley Dental Society
- Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Past President of Epsilon Zeta (UCLA)
- Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity