Numerous resources are available to assist students in areas related to the academic program.
The Business Office of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is led by the director of fiscal services. Business affairs of the school include accounting services and the Student Store.
Under direction of the director of student services, this office is responsible for recruiting students, contacting applicants, collecting data for the admissions committee and providing consultation and assistance in nonacademic areas including student financial aid, health and health insurance, housing and on-campus social and fraternal group activities.
The Student Store stocks equipment, books, and supplies for the educational program. It is the main campus resource for students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests. The store also provides print-on-demand and binding services. Merchandise and Apple products are available from the store's Web site, www.dentalstudents.com.
Financial aid at the University is available only to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and eligible non-citizens. Loans and grant funds are available from private, state, and federal sources. The financial aid office assists students in managing their financial resources and their indebtedness. It also conducts needs analyses and provides comprehensive financial guidance for every student applying for financial aid. Eligibility for most available financial aid funds is based on demonstrated financial need. An applicant must be approved for admissions before financial aid can be awarded.
Complete information about the types of financial aid available and the application process can be obtained from our website or from the Financial Aid Office located in the Office of Student Services.
The school is located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco and maintains an apartment facility within walking distance of the campus. The Pacific apartment building contains unfurnished one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments; study and lounge areas; laundry rooms; a dental laboratory; a physical fitness center; and offers 24-hour security.
Rental eligibility for both housing facilities is reserved for dental students registered and actively participating in an educational program at the school. Vacancies are filled each year by lottery from a list of applicants who have been accepted for admission to the school, however selection and continuation of rental eligibility is subject to the complete discretion of the school. Rent is due and payable by the first day of each month. Failure to pay on the due date will result in assessment of a late payment fee for each month's delinquency in payment. Such delinquency may result in suspension or termination from the educational program.
The school maintains a listing of off-campus, privately-owned apartments for interested students. The school does not endorse, investigate or guarantee the tenability of listings or suitability of those responding to any off-campus listing.
The Health Sciences Library of the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and the California Pacific Medical Center is located diagonally across from the school. The library's collection includes about 11,000 book titles, over 120 electronic books, 150 clinical videos, and access to over 3,000 online journal titles. The library has a comprehensive collection of print journals and books in all areas of dentistry, the basic and clinical sciences, and medicine. There is access to important online resources including Ovid, Science Direct publications, PubMed and Cochrane via the library website at www.cpmc.org/hslibrary. The 20,510-square-foot library facility, built in 1912, underwent extensive renovation in 1998 and 2004 that incorporated modern design elements, furnishings, and technology while retaining the original architectural features. The library provides computers, photocopiers, scanner, audiovisual equipment, group study rooms and individual study carrels. Wireless access is available throughout the building. The reading room houses current journals, reference book and casual reading materials.
The library is supported by the dental school's Ernest G. Sloman Memorial Library Fund.
First-year students participate in a mandatory retreat held on the University's Stockton campus shortly after matriculation. Through discussions with upper class students, faculty, advisors and administrators around a theme relevant to the profession, new students are acquainted with the various aspects and demands of the dental educational program and with ongoing student activities.
Many faculty who teach first-year courses serve as advisors to new students to provide friendly ears and sounding boards for their concerns and to assist them in the transition from undergraduate to professional education. Students may choose an advisor or are assigned one at the beginning of their first year. Second- and third-year students have access to their assigned group practice clinic administrator as well as course directors and other faculty members.
Academic counseling is provided by advisors as well as course directors, faculty members, the associate dean for academic affairs and the director of academic affairs. Referral to professional health care counseling is available, however the school cannot warrant the services of external health care providers. (Students should become familiar with the procedures of such counselors before engaging the services.) Services of a psychologist trained in student stress and study skills problems are available to students on an on-call and drop-in basis.
Dental and orthodontic treatment benefits are available at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry during regular clinic hours for students in good standing and their spouses and children living at home. Students who request and are accepted for dental care, except orthodontics, pay at a reduced rate established by clinic administration.
Throughout the building there are plaques, badges and Honors Walls recognizing the strong philanthropic support enjoyed by the school. Of special note, the Dean's Circle recognizes Dean's Fund for Excellence and the Endowment and Legacy Society. The dental school's generous alumni, friends, foundations, corporations and organization donors build clinics and classrooms, provide scholarships, fund faculty positions, provide dental care to patients and support numerous projects that help keep the dental school strong. Their support was evident at the conclusion of a seven-year capital campaign that raised a record-breaking $65.7 million, 131% of the campaign's original $50 million goal.
The Office of Public Relations directs communications and marketing programs to increase the visibility of the dental school and to enhance its identity to various constituents. The public relations team promotes not only the dental school, but also the school's students, faculty, staff, alumni and clinics, through effective media relations, Web communications, event planning, publication development and marketing strategies. Find more information here.
The office of Continuing Dental Education provides dynamic multidisciplinary continuing education programs for members of the dental and other health professions. Program formats include didactic, laboratory workshops and hands-on clinical sessions with live-patient treatment, or any combination thereof. Programs range from half-day to multiple sessions. CDE offers more than 90 courses each year that are presented by many of the profession's outstanding leaders. Annual attendance at clinical and lecture presentations exceeds 5,000 dentists and dental auxiliaries. Courses are offered at the dental school as well as throughout California, the United States and in foreign countries. Recent Pacific graduates are entitled to enroll in two open enrollment lecture courses by presenting their graduation coupons at the time of registration. Alumni Association members receive a 10% discount on all CE programs.
Dental students and faculty receive discounted rates to attend CDE courses. Tuition charges are minimal for students and faculty depending on the particular program. Recent Pacific graduates are entitled to enroll in two open enrollment lecture courses by presenting their graduation coupons at the time of registration for a CDE program.
To practice in California graduates must pass the Dental Board of California Licensure Examination or the Western Regional Examination Board (WREB). Both examinations are given at various sites throughout the year. University of the Pacific graduates have the opportunity to take the WREB at the school prior to graduation and with the approval of the dean. All states require successful completion of the National Board Dental Examination to be eligible for licensure. National Dental Board Examinations are given in two parts: Part I covers basic sciences and Part II covers dental sciences. Successful completion of Part I is required before Part II may be taken. Passage of Part II is a condition of graduation from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.
June/July 2009
