University of California San Francisco
Students and alumni
Our students and alumni are shaping the future of dentistry. From leading outreach programs that address oral health disparities to founding clinics that expand access to care, the UCSF Dentistry community is driving change locally and globally. Their dedication to equity and excellence reflects our shared mission to advance health for all.
Healing smiles and tackling health disparities
Thomas Nguyen, DDS ’19, transformed his Schweitzer Fellowship project into the Tenderloin’s first dedicated dental clinic, expanding care for LGBTQ and homeless residents. His work exemplifies the purpose-driven impact UCSF Dentistry alumni bring to communities that need it most.
Fostering community and career success
Registered Campus Organizations like the Hispanic Student Dental Association and the Student National Dental Association strengthen community on campus while opening doors for future dental professionals. Through events, mentorship, and outreach, these student-led groups help diversify the field and support the next generation of dentists.
UCSF Dentistry alumnus receives ADA 10 Under 10 Award
Rubin Sorrell, DDS ’21, created Dental Robin Hood to bring oral health education and resources directly to underserved San Francisco communities. An ADA 10 Under 10 Award honoree, he continues to expand his impact by delivering care across the Bay Area and inspiring the next generation of community-focused dental leaders.
Alumnus Douglas Cowden, DDS, endows $1M scholarship
Douglas Cowden, DDS '65, capped decades of service and philanthropy with a $1 million endowed scholarship to open doors for first-generation dental students. Inspired by the affordable education that launched his own career, Cowden’s legacy turns gratitude into opportunity for future UCSF dentists.