The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry’s Alumni Association gathered at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco January 23–24 for its 127th Annual Alumni Meeting, attracting over 800 alumni and friends from across the country for a robust weekend of learning and reconnecting.

Led by Alumni President Wesley E. Wong ’98 and Annual Meeting Committee Chair Claire Tyler ’03, the meeting offered a comprehensive schedule of continuing education for dentists, hygienists and dental staff. Guest speakers presented on diverse subjects including implants and prosthetics, periodontics, laser dentistry, CAD/CAM, cosmetic dentistry, esthetics, practice management, pharmacology, and life coaching. The event also included the 40th Annual Frederick T. West Orthodontic Lectureship on Friday and the 3rd Annual Alan H. Gluskin Endodontic Symposium on Saturday.

The gathering connected seasoned practitioners with the newest generation of dental professionals through events such as the student-led Dugoni Business Club's networking mixer and a panel of experts designed for members of the Dugoni School Class of 2026.

The exhibitor room was filled with representatives from various dental firms and organizations. Silver sponsors of the Alumni Meeting were Microcopy, TruAbutment and U.S. Bank Healthcare Business Banking.

Two long-time educators also received the Association’s highest honor. Interim Dean Elisa M. Chávez and President Wong gave the Medallion of Distinction Award to Dr. Homayon Asadi ’88 and Elena Francisco, RDHAP, MS.

Dr. Asadi ’88 serves as chair and professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and as interim associate dean of clinical services at the Dugoni School. He has been a dedicated faculty member since 1990 and is a longstanding course director.

Ms. Francisco, who practiced clinically in San Joaquin County for over 40 years, has served on the Dugoni School’s dental hygiene faculty since 2005 and recently retired as director of the Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) program. 

During Friday’s recognition program, Dr. Wesley Wong transitioned his leadership role to Dr. Marc H. Lai ’13. The new Alumni Association president, Dr. Lai, operates a cosmetic dental practice in San Francisco alongside his brother, Dr. Grant Lai ’19.

“I am excited to begin my term and to work tirelessly to continue building our great Dugoni culture — one that celebrates and embodies humanism, family, pride and gratitude,” said Dr. Lai.

He also encouraged alumni to carry on the culture “in the spirit that our former Dean Nadershahi always defined as one that exemplifies the relentless pursuit of excellence in our shared experiences and values despite our diverse backgrounds and expertise. As alumni we carry the Dugoni legacy with us, and it is our duty to ensure that this legacy continues to thrive with future generations.”

The weekend concluded with Saturday’s Dugoni School Gala at San Francisco City Hall, which was festively lit up in lilac, the color of dentistry.  Centered on the theme “Bridging the Golden Age,” the evening featured reunion dinners for numerous alumni classes ending in the years of 1 and 6.

As part of the Gala, the Brucia Society also held a reception that brought together around 100 people who have given to the Dugoni School for 10 consecutive years and have reached a lifetime giving total of $50,000 or more. 

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