Sheila Yaghmai, D.D.S., M.P.H.

Sheila Yaghmai, D.D.S., M.P.H., is a clinical assistant professor in the Section of Interdisciplinary Dentistry at UCLA School of Dentistry. In 2012 she joined School’s faculty where she has been involved in teaching both pre-clinical and clinical courses to pre-doctoral dental students in the Section of Restorative Dentistry. In 2022, she became a full-time faculty as a Group Practice Director. In her current role, she teaches clinical treatment planning and oversees students’ patient management as they fulfill their graduation requirements. Driven by her passion for wellness and public health, she founded the Integrative Mind Body Wellness Initiative (IMBWI) at UCLA’s School of Dentistry to support student well-being and stress management. She also developed UCLA’s first wellness course, now a core part of the dental curriculum. She is the Director of IMBWI.

After completing an AEGD residency program at UCLA in 1993, Dr. Yaghmai moved into private practice and worked mainly as a general dentist in Chicago and Los Angeles. She was also involved in various children and youth organizations including Head Start and the Children & Youth Coalition in Chicago, where she 
provided dental care to the underserved population for nearly a decade.

Research and Interests

• Evaluating wellness programs within the healthcare sector
• Assessment of burnout among dental professionals
• Access to dental care for underserved populations
• Comprehensive case-based treatment planning