Profile

Dr. Payam Afzali

Payam  Afzali D.D.S., M.D.

Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor
Program Director, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Phone
  • (310) 825-3685
Office
53-076 CHS
Address

UCLA School of Dentistry
10833 Le Conte Ave.
Box 951668
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668

Classifications
  • Full-Time Faculty
Academic Sections
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Anesthesiology
Clinic
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic
Biography

Dr. Payam Afzali is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS) in the UCLA School of Dentistry, having completed postgraduate fellowship training in both head and neck microvascular surgery and pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery. He earned his Dental Degree (D.D.S.) at Columbia University in New York, as well as both his OMFS Residency Certificate and Medical Degree (M.D.) at UCLA.

Dr. Afzali previously served as an assistant clinical professor at UC San Francisco, as well as the chief of service and interim program director of the OMFS Residency Program at Highland Hospital in Oakland, Calif. Dr. Afzali has held multiple leadership positions in the profession and has participated in over 30 volunteer humanitarian trips both nationally and internationally. An author and co-author of multiple book chapters and articles, Dr. Afzali is interested in full-scope OMFS, with specific fields of interest in global health, oncology, trauma, dentoalveolar, and pediatric craniofacial surgery. 

Representative Publications
  • Zubair F, Mcmahon J, Afzali P. et al. Corrigendum to "Staging and treatment outcomes in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a single-centre UK cohort" The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. October 2022.
  • Afzali P. Epidemiology, Management and Prognosis of Noma: An Oral and Facial Disease of Poverty. IAOMS International Conference. March 2021.
  • Zubair F, Afzali P, Mcmahon J. Staging and treatment outcomes in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma – a single centre UK cohort. The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. January 2021.
  • Sun, H.; Yu, W.; Sun, S.; Lee, S.; Farhood, V.; Afzali, P. Characterization, Management, and Epidemiology of Odontogenic Infections: An Analysis of 103 Cases at a Major Regional Medical Center. Preprints 2020
  • Afzali P, Ward B. The Head and Neck Cancer Patient: Management of the Neck in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America. 2019 Feb; 31(1):69-84.
Educational & Professional Background
  • B.A., University of Oregon, 2003
  • D.D.S., Columbia University, 2009
  • M.D., UCLA, 2013
  • Certificate, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency, UCLA Hospital, 2015
  • Fellowship, Cleft and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Charleston Area Medical Center, 2016
  • Fellowship, Head and Neck Microvascular Surgery, United Kingdom, 2019
Research & Interests
  • Head and Neck Oncology
  • Global Health
  • Maxillofacial Trauma
Professional Memberships
  • Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS)
  • American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS and CALAOMS)
  • American Dental Association (ADA)
  • American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
  • California Dental Association (CDA)
  • International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS)
  • European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery (EACMFS)
  • International Academy of Oral Oncology (IAOO)
  • American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association (ACPA)
  • Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU)
Awards
  • AHS OMFS/Dental Clinic Quality and Safety Innovations Award, Improvements and Outcomes, 2021
  • America’s Best Doctors, Physician, Surgeon and Dentist 2020 and 2021
  • Humanitarian Award, AAOMS Annual Session, Philadelphia, 2011
  • Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Honors Society, CDM, 2009
  • Award for Excellence, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 2009
  • Johnson & Johnson Preventive Dentistry Scholarship, ADEA, 2009
  • Outstanding Leadership Award, Delta Dental, 2009
  • Leadership Award, CDM, 2009
  • Most Outstanding Researcher Award, CDM, 2009
  • Outstanding Student/Leadership Award, American College of Dentistry, 2009