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Jordan Cheng, DMD, a graduate trainee in the Oral Biology Ph.D. program at the UCLA School of Dentistry, was recently awarded the National Cancer Institute’s Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00). The F99/K00 award is to support and retain outstanding graduate students recognized by their institutions for their high potential and strong interest in pursuing careers as independent cancer researchers. The award will facilitate the transition of trainees from their graduate training to postdoctoral appointments at high-impact cancer labs.

It’s not uncommon for patients with special needs, complex medical conditions, and physical or cognitive differences, to encounter challenges when seeking dental care. The Special Patient Care (SPC) clinic at the UCLA School of Dentistry – and its specialists trained in treating this vulnerable population – serve as a major safety net for special needs patients and their caretakers. For many of these patients, UCLA is the only option they have and those who live far away are willing to drive hundreds of miles to be seen.

Bruin Optimist with an appreciation for giving back
 

Dr. Hedi Kermani’s drive, paired with her entrepreneurial spirit, are the characteristics that have helped her build a successful orthodontics and pediatric dentistry practice in Orange County. From acquiring the latest technology and equipment down to choosing the colors for the interior, hiring top associates and even designing the website, she has dedicated her career for the past two decades to perfecting a practice that her patients can rely on for quality care.

Pivoting to dentistry after undergraduate degree brought joy and fulfillment 

"YOU CAN’T CONNECT THE DOTS LOOKING FORWARD; YOU CAN ONLY CONNECT THEM LOOKING BACKWARDS. SO, YOU HAVE TO TRUST THAT THE DOTS WILL SOMEHOW connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” 

CRANIOFACIAL SURGEON, DR. WAYNE OZAKI, MAY BE NEW TO THE UCLA SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY, but he’s been a UCLA Health surgeon and professor for almost a decade. In January, he joined the dental school as the new chair for oral and maxillofacial surgery and also became the chief of dental services for the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge about the crossover between medical surgical services and dental services, and the dental school welcomes his outside perspective.

The UCLA School of Dentistry is proud to relaunch its tradition of recognizing distinguished alumni who have made sterling contributions in the advancement of dentistry, education, leadership, and public service.

Dr. Michele Frawley, Class of 2006, is a comprehensive cosmetic dentist at Beverly Hills Dentistry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Loyola Marymount University in 2001 and went on to receive her doctorate of dental surgery at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where she graduated fourth in her class. 

Please join us as we celebrate the graduation of the UCLA School of Dentistry, Class of 2021!

Due to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to the COVID-19 outbreak, this year our graduates are honored in an online commencement ceremony to recognize and celebrate the individual and collective accomplishments.

Dr. Mark Ortega, Class of 2015, is a Southern California native who was born and raised in Montebello. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA and went on to receive his doctorate of dental surgery at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where he graduated with honors. During dental school, Dr. Ortega found he enjoyed the interaction and unique experience of treating children.