University of California San Francisco
Patient stories
At UCSF Dental Center, patients receive the full spectrum of care—from preventive services and routine exams to advanced treatments for complex conditions—all backed by the expertise of a world-class research institution. Every visit combines evidence-based care, cutting-edge technology, and genuine compassion. Hear from patients whose lives have been transformed by the care they received here.
At novel UCSF dental clinic, kids with autism are all smiles
UCSF Pediatric Dentistry’s Autism Program is pioneering care—one of the few clinics to pair resident-led dentistry with an on-site behavior analyst, replacing restraint and sedation with a step-by-step, skills-building model. The result: calmer visits, lasting independence for kids, and a training ground that spreads this innovation far beyond UCSF.
Putting the patient first
Routine X-rays flagged severe decay beneath a crown—but UCSF dentist Melissa Tuft, DDS, saw her patient had just started bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, making extraction risky. Instead, Tuft pursued a tooth-saving plan that protected both oral and overall health.