Grace Nguyen, co-director 

“From an early age, I recognized health disparities in my hometown and felt motivated to change this because healthcare services are a human right that should not be determined by socioeconomic status. Volunteering at a community health center in LA showed me the necessity of increasing access to quality dental care, education, and preventive services for populations in need. I am thrilled to continue this work during dental school with the amazing team at CDC and help provide exceptional, free care to our patients.”

Elena Sacchetti, co-director

“Through my community involvement, it has become evident to me that a person’s oral health is inseparable from their financial situation. I believe all people deserve to live healthy, pain-free lives, regardless of their financial status. As part of CDC, I can work to make this a reality by helping underserved communities of San Francisco gain and maintain access to compassionate dental care.”

Mia Espinoza, project manager

“I had the opportunity to work at a FQHC as a pre-dental student, where I saw firsthand how access to dental care impacts mental, physical, and cultural wellbeing. My time at the clinic was personally rewarding as I developed close relationships with patients and families coming in for dental care. Connecting with patients from my community solidified my goal of working in public health dentistry. CDC bridges the gap to accessible care and contributes to improved oral health outcomes for diverse patient populations. As a CDC Coordinator, I am excited to continue building the skills and experiences that will allow me to better serve the oral health needs of the community members who need it most.”

Connie Shen, faculty coordinator 

“CDC is a meaningful organization to me because it offers opportunities to provide care that has an immediate and tangible impact through direct, student-led service. Through CDC, I can work directly with underserved communities to help address gaps in access to healthcare caused by systemic barriers. Working within CDC grounds my passion for dentistry in service and a commitment to making a positive impact. I am excited to be a part of a compassionate team that shares similar goals. The lessons I learn through CDC will continue to shape how I serve my patients as a clinician in the future.”

Cecilia Hurlbert, secretery 

“One of my biggest motivations for pursuing a career in dentistry is to help eliminate barriers for patients without access to reliable, comprehensive oral healthcare. One of my first professional experiences in the dental field led me to work directly with patients burdened by healthcare costs, travel distances, disabilities, and language barriers that made receiving dental care almost impossible. Eliminating pain, restoring function, and inspiring confidence through dental restorations can dramatically improve a patient's quality of life. Everyone deserves access to quality oral healthcare, and CDC gives us the opportunity to make that goal a reality for our Bay Area community.”

Maulik Ahuja, supplies coordinator 

“As a lifelong Bay Area resident, I've always felt a deep connection to our community. My experience volunteering at pro bono dental clinics abroad showed me firsthand how financial barriers prevent people from accessing the oral healthcare they deserve. I joined CDC because I'm passionate about serving the community that raised me and helping to ensure that everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic position, can receive quality dental care. I'm honored and excited to contribute to breaking down these barriers and supporting those in need.”

Verina Atallah, supplies coordinator 

Kaylie Nguyen, treasurer 

“In my experience volunteering with underserved communities, I saw how transformative access to dental care and oral health education could be. I also became more aware of the cultural, language and socioeconomic barriers that prevent many individuals from receiving care that could significantly improve their quality of life. These experiences reinforced my commitment to making dental care more accessible, and to finding more ways to give back as I advance in my dental training. I’m excited to be a part of CDC, where I can serve my local community while growing as a compassionate and capable dental provider.”

Allison Lee, Epic coordinator 

“Having had my own dental experiences in a community dental clinic, I have always wanted to carry forward the same sense of empowerment and compassion that healthcare providers showed to both my community and me. Access to dental care is a fundamental barrier within primary healthcare, and being able to address this barrier is an honor and a responsibility that motivates me to serve with empathy and purpose.”

Arianna Buchanan, Epic coordinator 

“My interest in community dentistry developed during undergrad as a Sociology major, where a course on immigration and health highlighted the barriers many communities face in accessing oral care. That perspective grew through volunteering at a non-profit pediatric dental clinic, where I saw how limited access to dental care affects quality of life. These experiences shaped my commitment to serving the community and addressing oral health disparities. I am honored to be part of the CDC team and provide empathetic care!”

Annette Fishman, patient coordinator 

“Coming from a family that emigrated from the former Soviet Union, I witnessed firsthand how language barriers and struggles with health insurance limit access to care and affect long-term health. These experiences continue to shape my lifelong commitment to serving vulnerable communities and align strongly with CDC’s mission to expand accessible dental care to our community in San Francisco. I am honored to be a part of this team during dental school to combine clinical skill with empathy, advocacy, and human connection to ensure all patients feel seen, heard, and cared for.”

Leena Osman, patient coordinator 

“My background in Public Health research has fostered my interest in community dentistry and how the model serves to alleviate oral health disparities within the populations being treated. I joined CDC to exercise my passion for helping underserved communities access quality care, as well as enhance patient experiences by leading with cultural humility and an understanding of the barriers they may face when accessing oral health care.”