ACD Northern California Section Newsletter 2026

American College of Dentists

Founded in 1920 to promote excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership in dentistry

Northern CaliforniaSection June 2026

Contact:

Annual Awards Dinner

Dr. Ariane Terlet, Section Chair Dr. Charmaine Ng Vice Chair (858) 232-8307 americancollegedentists north@gmail.com Dr. Sampada Deshpande Treasurer (650) 495-0795 dr.sdeshpande15@gmail.com

Dr. Alma Clark Secretary Dr. LaJuan Hall, Regent americancollegedentists north@gmail.com

ACD Northern California section Board of Directors at the awards dinner

Jean Creasey, DDS Editor (530) 575-7810 jlcreaseydds@gmail.com

The historic Olympic Club, the elegant oceanside venue for the 2026 ACD Nor-Cal Section Annual Awards Dinner.

Outgoing Regent at Large Dr. Pam Alston with Drs. Ariane Terlet, Terry Norris and LaJuan Hall

More photos on pages 2, 3 and 4

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ACD, Northern California Section

Another Evening of Elegance and Inspiration The 2026 ACD Nor-Cal Section Award Dinner Submitted by Dr. Jean Creasey, Editor Many aspects of a dentist’s “day to day” experience can hardly be described as glamorous. Perhaps that is why I so look forward to the Annual ACD Nor-Cal Section Awards Dinner.Once again, it was held at San Francisco’s historic Olympic Club, an elegant oceanside venue steeped in glamour and tradition.

It’s always a pleasure to see so many old friends gather, all dressed in our finest, nonclinical attire. We gather to honor the best and brightest among our faculty and students and to recognize colleagues who have gone above and beyond in serving the profession.

Section Chair Dr. Ariane Terlet dedicated this year’s dinner to the memory of beloved UOP educator and colleague Dr. Elvira Florentino, who passed suddenly—well before her time, but not without already having given much to the profession of dentistry.

In 2026 she was elected to ACD Fellowship.

Students and faculty from all three Nor-Cal dental schools were recognized for their leadership and service, reminding us that regardless of what the future holds for dentistry, it will be in capable hands with educators and young practitioners such as these.

She has been an inspiration to so many of us, and she spoke passionately about her continued commitment through policy and advocacy work. Bravo, Lindsey—if only we could clone your dedicated spirit!

We had the honor of hosting ACD National President Dr. Terry Norris, whose keynote remarks enlightened us all on the exciting transformation occurring at the College under the leadership of Executive Director Michael Graham and his team.

Our ACD Regent Dr. LaJuan Hall has written more extensively about Dr. Norris’s presentation elsewhere in this newsletter. If you have not checked out the ACD National website recently, please take a moment to do so.

Each year, I leave the ACD Awards Dinner thinking, “Wow—what a fabulous group of human beings! I am so fortunate to be a part of the dental profession and the ACD organization.” This year was no exception. Long after I’ve dry-cleaned my dress clothes and am back to business as usual, I will remember the inspiration of my colleagues and do my best to emulate their outstanding examples of service.

A huge virtual round of applause to Dr. Alma Clark and her cap‐ able team—especially Dr. Ariane Terlet and Sampada Deshpande—who, with others, made it all come together with flair and elegance!

The Krajewski Award for outstanding service to the profession by a non-dentist went to Ms. Elly Francisco, RDH, MS, whom many of us have had the pleasure of knowing through the years for her work championing oral health as an educator, clinician, volunteer, and leader. She is a perfect example of the adage, “if you want something done, ask a busy person.” After many years of service, she continues to get a lot done—tirelessly engaging in efforts to improve community oral health and access. Elly lights up a room with her smile and enthusiasm, and we hope she continues to say “yes.”

The prestigious 2026 Fleming Award for outstanding and meritori‐ ous service by a dentist went to Dr. Lindsey Robinson. All ACD Nor-Cal Section Fellows can take great pride in our stellar col‐ league Lindsey’s outsized contributions to dentistry—particularly her efforts to address children’s oral health needs in California and nationally. A list of her service accomplishments is too lengthy to include here, but what really stands out is her willingness not just to serve on countless councils and committees influencing real policies, but to be tirelessly in the trenches, providing care to under-resourced children and improving the oral health literacy of their parents.

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2026 American College of Dentists — Nor-Cal Section Awardees Outstanding Student Leadership Awards: UOP-Dugoni School of Dentistry As a dental student, Kevin Morden is committed to developing his skills to become the best dental professional he can be. He is passionate about every aspect of the profession—from delivering care to patients with diverse needs to using the latest technology to enhance patient outcomes. “Each day presents a new opportunity to grow, and I am eager to expand my knowledge and capabilities in this ever-evolving field,” he says.

With a strong vision for his future in dentistry, Kevin has set ambitious goals, including reaching underserved communities and making a meaningful impact on global oral health. Kevin graduated from UCLA—where he also played baseball—then earned a master’s from Liberty University before matriculating at the UOP, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

CNSU College of Dental Medicine An Tran is a dental graduate from California Northstate University with a passion for patient-centered care and accessibility, both before and after completing her doctorate. She finds the most fulfillment in providing care to the local underserved community. She plans to move back to Colorado—where she is originally from and once worked as a dental assistant—to provide care now as a dentist. Outside the clinic, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her pets and looks forward to returning to all the outdoor opportunities Colorado offers with her family.

UCSF School of Dentistry Min-Chen (Audrey) Hsieh Kang is a dental graduate of the University of California, San Francisco, with a focused interest in endodontics, regenerative therapies, and interdisciplinary innovation. Prior to pursuing dentistry, she had a career in industrial design—an experience that continues to shape her approach to clinical problem-solving, patient-centered care, and innovation in dentistry.

At UCSF, Audrey served as President of the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association (SPEA), where she led initiatives to advance professionalism, mentorship, and the development of ethics-focused electives within the student community. She is deeply committed to empowering her peers and the next generation of dental professionals through mentorship and educational outreach, reflecting her dedication to leadership, service, and lifelong learning.

CNSU College of Dental Medicine Dr. Shadi Javadi earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in Iran in 2010 and completed the Advanced Standing Program at the UCLA School of Dentistry, receiving her DDS in 2015. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Oral Biology in 2017.

She has served as an Assistant Professor at California Northstate University, College of Dental Medicine since 2022, teaching growth and development, dental anatomy, and pharmacology. She is also dedicated to student mentorship through the student portfolio course.

Her research focuses on pedagogical methods and review studies, reflecting her commitment to advancing dental education. She also serves as co-chair of the Research Committee, chair of the FirstYear Student Performance Committee, and faculty advisor for both the Engagement, Culture and Community Committee and the Orthodontics Club.

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Outstanding Faculty Awards: UCSF School of Dentistry Dr. Eva Bender is a third-generation Italian American originally from Long Island, New York. She is currently full-time faculty at UCSF School of Dentistry, where she serves as a Group Practice Leader, Course Director, and Co-Chair of the Educational Policy Committee.

Before transitioning to academia full-time in 2020, she practiced dentistry full-time in Northern California. She lives in Oakland, CA with her family. In her spare time, she enjoys stand-up paddleboarding and trying new cuisines.

UOP- Dugoni School of dentistry

Dr. Gene Santucci is an Associate Professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry at the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA where he is co-director of the Dental Sleep Mini-Residency Program, Content Coordinator for Sleep Medicine. He also holds a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling. Dr. Santucci has presented nationally and Internationally on the topics of Dental Sleep Medicine, ADHD in Children and Sleep Related Disorders, Occlusion, Aesthetics, Temporomandibular Disorders, Photography, Functional Anatomy of the Gnathostomatic System and the Fabrication and Delivery of Night Guards. He is a published author contributing to numerous articles in refereed journals and abstracts along with a Task Force Report regarding sleep medicine, course content in dental education.

2026 ACD Nor-Cal Fleming Award: Dr. Lindsey Robinson Dr. Lindsey Robinson is the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Fleming Award for outstanding and meritorious service by a dentist. All ACD Nor-Cal Section Fellows can take great pride in Dr. Robinson's outsized contributions to dentistry, particularly her efforts to address children's oral health needs in California and nationally.

Dr. Robinson has served on countless councils and committees influencing real policies, and has been tirelessly in the trenches providing care to under-resourced children and improving the oral health literacy of their parents. She has been an inspiration to many colleagues and spoke passionately about her continued commitment through policy and advocacy work.

Her list of service accomplishments is extensive, reflecting a career dedicated to improving access to dental care and championing the oral health of vulnerable populations. Dr. Robinson exemplifies the highest ideals of the dental profession and the American College of Dentists.

2026 ACD Nor-Cal Joseph Krajewski Award: for outstanding service to the profession by a non-dentist Elena "Elly" Francisco, M.S., R.D.H.A.P. Elena Francisco graduated from Loma Linda University with a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene and received her master's in dental hygiene from Idaho State University. She practiced clinically in San Joaquin County for more than 40 years and has served on the dental hygiene faculty at the University of the Pacific since 2005, recently retiring as director of the UOP Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Program.

Elena is active in her professional organizations, serves as a resource for community oral health programs, and finds joy in mentoring young colleagues. She has authored several journal articles and served on peer review and advisory boards as well as state and county task forces. She has volunteered with the Tzu Chi Foundation, CDA Cares, and GKAS events throughout her career.

Currently she sits on the Board of Directors of the California State Rural Health Association and is director of RDHAP Connect, a free web-based RDHAP referral service. Elena is also a consultant with the Pacific Center for Equity in Oral Health Care, helping connect experts in their fields, preparing grant proposals, and serving as a dental hygiene resource.

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ACD President Terry Norris Visits the Northern California Section Annual Meeting Submitted by Dr. LaJuan Hall, DDS, FACD, FICD, Regent, Regency 7 The Northern California Section was pleased to welcome American College of Dentists President Terry Norris as the keynote speaker at its Annual Meeting and Award Ceremony.

President Norris shared an engaging overview of the American College of Dentists. Throughout his remarks, he emphasized that the College is more than an honorary organization—it is a community of leaders dedicated to fostering ethical decision-making, mentoring future generations, addressing the challenges facing the profession. He encouraged Fellows to remain actively engaged in organized dentistry and to continue serving as role models within ACD president Terry Norris with the current their communities.Attendees appreciated the opportunity to hear firsthand about national NDA President - Nor Cal Sections own : Dr ACD initiatives and the College’s vision for the future. His message resonated strongly with Wallace Bellamy and ACD Section Secretary Dr members, reinforcing the values that unite Fellows across the country and inspire continued Alma Clark. service to the profession.The evening also celebrated the accomplishments of Northern California Section Fellows and recognized individuals whose leadership and dedication exemplify the ideals of the American College of Dentists.The Northern California Section extends its sincere appreciation to President Norris for his visit and for sharing his insights with our Fellows and guests. His presence made this year’s Annual Meeting especially memorable and served as a meaningful reminder of the impact of ethical leadership in dentistry.

2026 Gies Award Recognizes One of Our Own! Submitted by Dr. Jean Creasey The prestigious American College of Dentists William John Gies Award for outstanding and meritorious service to the profession has been awarded to renowned UCSF professor Dr. Gary Armitage—one of our own ACD Northern California Section members! The Gies Award recognizes the broad, exceptional, and distinguished contributions of a Fellow to the profession and society. The selection process is rigorous, and Dr. Armitage clearly stood out in a field of other luminaries. Nominees are evaluated on their exceptional level of contribution to the profession, broad contribution to society, impactful leadership positions, contributions to the dental literature, and public health advocacy.

According to UCSF Dean and respected periodontist Dr. Michael Reddy, Dr. Armitage is regarded as one of the top ten international scholars worldwide in the field of periodontics. And according to my own conversations with countless dentists and hygienists over the years, Dr. Armitage is legendary for his approachable teaching style, deep expertise, and great humility—all while making major contributions to periodontics, dental research, and education, both here in the United States and abroad.

If you consider the periodontists on your own referral list, I'm guessing they have been mentored or inspired, at some point, by Dr. Gary Armitage. We can all be very proud to serve in the same ACD Section as Dr. Armitage as he is honored with the Gies Award for his exceptional service.

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Welcoming New Fellows to the College in DC Submitted by Section Chair Dr. LaJuan Hall

Celebrating new Fellows at the American College of Dentists New Fellow Orientation in Washington, DC.

Each year, the American College of Dentists New Fellow Orientation offers one of my favorite opportunities— welcoming new Fellows into a community that exemplifies the best of our profession. This session reminded me once again that the strength of our College lies in the engagement and shared purpose of its Fellows.

Back in October, I had the privilege of co-leading the session with Dr. Ned Nix, our outgoing Regent for Regency 7 and now the newly elected Vice President of the College. Together, we guided our new Fellows through the organizational structure of the ACD and the many ways their involvement at the local Section level can create a lasting impact. Our discussion focused on several key topics, from succession planning for Section leadership to understanding the structure of the Board of Regents and developing effective communication strategies to enhance the organization. The participants also explored opportunities for involvement with the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association (SPEA) and local dental schools, continuing the College’s longstanding commitment to mentorship and fostering professionalism among future leaders. We provided an update on the ACD Strategic Plan, highlighting progress toward strengthening our influence and expanding our relevance in today’s evolving dental landscape.

But what resonated most was the energy and enthusiasm of our new Fellows—their eagerness to contribute, serve, and lead. As I looked around the room, I was reminded that each Fellow brings a unique story and a shared commitment to the values of ethics, leadership, and service. This orientation was more than an introduction to the College; it was a celebration of our collective purpose and a passing of the torch from one generation of leaders to the next.

Again, to all our new Fellows: welcome to the ACD family. Your involvement, ideas, and integrity will continue to shape the legacy we build together.

Feel free to contact me at dr.lajuanhall@gmail.com. And save the date—October 23-25, 2026—to meet in Santa Barbara for our annual meeting.

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Another Great Success! The 2025 SPEA Mentor Mixer Submitted by Dr. LaJuan Hall

Mentor Mixer attendees gather for the 5th Annual ACD/SPEA Mentorship event.

Drs. LaJuan Hall, Puja Patel, and Sampada Deshpande.

This year’s mixer was well attended, with over 90 participants. The student-led event was one of the most successful to date. Hats off to SPEA Chapter President Kimia Tavassoli and mixer co-chairs Yilin Piao and Devansh Sapovadia for an outstanding event. They worked closely with me, Sampada, UOP, and CNSU to create a fantastic ex‐ perience for all. Drs. Pinelopi Xenoudi and Michael Le attended, along with students and faculty.

The SPEA Mentorship Program is a collaborative initiative between the American College of Dentists and the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association, designed to foster not only professional growth but also personal growth. It inspires ethical leadership and long-term career development in dentistry, encouraging students to become the best version of themselves in their profession. The program connects dental students with distinguished Fellows of the American College of Dentists who exemplify the highest standards of integrity, service, and professional excellence. Through guided conversations, shared experiences, and values-based mentorship, students gain insight into real-world ethical decision-making, leadership pathways, and the habits that shape a principled and fulfilling dental career. At the same time, mentors have the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience, contributing to the future of the profession. The mentorship mixer is more than a networking opportunity; the ACD/SPEA Mentorship Program cultivates a culture of professionalism. It empowers future dentists to uphold the core values of the profession while building confidence, competence, and community—serving as a bridge between generations of leaders. This year marked the fifth year of the annual program. Through a joint effort with UCSF and UOP alumni, over 90 students, alumni, and ACD Fellows participated in a day-long event held in November. During the spring quarter, the UCSF SPEA Chapter will hold an Ethics Elective featuring leaders in dentistry, including ACD President Dr. Terry Norris.

If you have not had the pleasure of attending one of these annual mixers, held every November—don’t miss this year’s event, date TBD.

UCSF SPEA Reps Attend the 2025 ACD National Meeting Dental student Kimia Tavassoli reflects: The SPEA Conference was nothing short of amazing—a tight-knit gathering of students who came together to celebrate our shared commitment to professionalism and ethics in dentistry. I especially enjoyed the casestudy presentation from Dr. Kjeld Nelson and the insightful “Cleaning and Shaping Your Finances” lecture by Dr. Danny Carney. Dr. Elizabeth O. Carr’s talk on real-life examples of how she handles difficult patient interactions was also incredibly moving. Her honesty and transparency were refreshing and inspiring. Our small breakout sessions were equally impactful, giving us the opportunity to exchange diverse perspectives on conflict resolution, culture development, and the core values we hope to uphold as future dentists. I left the conference inspired to bring new energy, collaboration, and discussion-based learning back to our UCSF chapter.

Dental student Kieran Jacobson reflects: The SPEA 2025 Annual Session in Washington, DC, held October 24–25, provided an excellent opportunity to engage with dental students, faculty, and national leaders committed to professionalism, ethics, and leadership in our field. One theme that resonated with me was the emphasis on fostering ethical awareness and lifelong professional growth. The session I found most enlightening was the financial-literacy lecture, which addressed managing student debt, planning for practice ownership, and integrating sound financial decision-making into professional life. These insights were particularly timely as I prepare for life after dental school and begin to envision my role in a community health clinic setting. I believe the experience will contribute meaningfully to my growth as a clinician and as a future community-based provider.

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Leadership at the Intersection of Ethics, Technology, and Service

By LaJuan Hall, DDS, FACD, FICD, ACD Regent Dr. Robert Faiella's farewell address as President of the American College of Dentists offered more than a celebration of achievement—it was a timely call to action. As we welcome new Fellows into the College, his message reminded us that Fellowship is not simply an honor earned through past accomplishments. It is a responsibility to lead thoughtfully through the profound changes shaping our profession.

Dr. Faiella emphasized that technology is not a separate industry but an underpinning of every industry, including dentistry.

Its purpose, he noted, is to increase productivity at scale and improve our lives. This framing is critical. Patients are, more than ever, seeking digital advice online. The ethical use of technology is no longer an optional enhancement to clinical practice; it is now integral to how we diagnose, plan, communicate, and deliver care. The question before us is not whether technology, particularly artificial intelligence, will influence dentistry. Instead, we must ask how we, as ethical leaders, will guide its influence.

The expanding role of artificial intelligence holds remarkable potential. From enhanced diagnostics to improved decision support and stronger medical-dental integration, AI may help clinicians sift through vast amounts of data and identify patterns that enhance patient outcomes. Yet potential alone does not guarantee a positive impact. As Dr. Faiella cautioned, AI is transformative, but it is consequential only when guided by standards, professional judgment, and appropriate regulatory oversight.

This responsibility is significant as dentistry faces mounting external pressures. Rising student debt, corporate production expectations, and broader economic uncertainty challenge clinicians at every stage of their careers. These forces can easily shift focus away from professional autonomy and patient-centered care. However, Dr. Faiella reminded us that within these challenges lie meaningful opportunities—to lead with integrity, advocate for ethical frameworks, and help shape systems that support both clinicians and the public we serve.

Fellows must lead beyond individual practice success and influence the culture of dentistry. As technology, including AI, shapes healthcare, we need leaders who prioritize ethics, evidence, and trust in the doctor-patient relationship. The College is well positioned to provide this leadership.

Medical-dental integration represents one of the most promising opportunities in this transformation. Thoughtfully applied technology can connect oral health to systemic health more effectively than ever before. Yet integration must be guided by collaboration, accountability, and ethical oversight—principles that ensure innovation enhances care rather than complicating it.

Dr. Faiella's remarks serve as both affirmation and challenge. They affirm that dentistry's future will be shaped by innovation. They also challenge us to ensure that innovation is grounded in service, professionalism, and moral responsibility. Fellowship in the American College of Dentists calls each of us to rise to this moment. We are not passive observers of change, but active stewards of our profession's future.

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Editorial An Under-Rated Technical Skill: Ethics-Centered Dentist-Patient Communication Submitted by Dr. Jean Creasey I knew a dentist whose gold work and esthetic cases were a thing of true beauty. Sadly, his chairside manner was not. Underdeveloped communication skills often left him frustrated when others could not read his mind, resulting in few referrals, high staff turnover, and needless misunderstandings at the office and at home. As it turns out, pure knowledge and technical skill are not enough to make an excellent dentist.

If you doubt whether communication skills truly matter, consider how much of your workday you spend communicating—de-escalating patient anxiety, explaining treatment plans, giving post-operative i nstructions, resolving staff issues. These discussions make up a good portion of your professional day, and how well you execute them has major consequences. Our friends at TDIC would likely agree: words matter.

Despite their importance, these skills have historically been given short shrift in healthcare curricula. Particularly in dental education, where intense focus is needed to achieve competency in surgical techniques, communication skills are often under-rated by students and faculty alike. Students tend to focus more on mastering high-speed handpieces and scalpels than on learning to provide a "clear language" explanation of periodontal disease.

The tide may be turning, however, as patients now demand more than the advice-centered, authoritarian, "doctor knows best" models of the past and instead seek to be more involved in their own treatment decisions. In my own experience as an Ethics and Professionalism course director, the introduction of communication practice sessions—including opportunities for feedback—was a huge success with students. By practicing stressful conversations in simulated interactions, where volunteer dentists and hygienists played challenging patients, pre-clinical students enjoyed dry-run experiences of explaining treatment plans, calming patient emotions, and decompressing stressful situations. Student feedback found it overwhelmingly valuable, and many found it eye-opening.

And you don't need to be a dental student to benefit. In partnership with the UC Berkeley School of Public Health Oral Health Literacy and Communication training project offered to clinicians statewide, I have seen even seasoned practitioners appreciate the opportunity to practice and improve these skills, finding the effort well worth their time.

One often-overlooked area for improvement involves listening. Studies show that, as clinicians, we interrupt or redirect patients after only 18-23 seconds, seldom seek the patient's perspective on their health issues, and often do not effectively involve them in decisions.

Listening with an intent to more deeply understand the patient's perspective is a good first step.

Another skill we can improve is the use of clear language—common words that most people understand. This can be a challenge, as our training encourages a professional vernacular incomprehensible to many of our patients. Many patients simply nod and smile, too embarrassed to ask what we mean by words like "mesial root" or "incipient caries." By using clear language, we can increase patient involvement in treatment decisions and ultimately improve satisfaction and outcomes.

From an ethical perspective, we have an obligation to assess our own ability to communicate effectively. Can we explain treatment options in clear language, gain meaningful consent, and elicit patient preferences? If improvement is needed for you or your team, the good news is that resources are available to help.

A fun exercise for your next staff meeting: have staff practice explaining treatment plans to one another using clear language. It is much harder than it sounds—and will likely provide a few laughs!

Ultimately, improving communication leads to less stress for providers, better compliance by patients, and happier team members— better outcomes for all concerned. As long as you are still talking, it's never too late to improve the words you choose!

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American College of Dentists Northern California Section Jean S. Creasey, DDS, Editor 216 South Pine Street Nevada City, CA 95959

Save the Date The American College of Dentists, Northern California Section, invites all Fellows, candidates, and guests to mark their calendars for the ACD National Annual Meeting, October 23–25, 2026, in Santa Barbara, California.

It will be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, welcome new Fellows, and celebrate our shared mission to advance excellence through ethics, professionalism, and leadership in oral healthcare.

To get involved with the Section, the SPEA Mentorship Program, or future newsletters, please contact Editor Dr. Jean Creasey at jlcreaseydds@gmail.com or Re‐ gent Dr. LaJuan Hall at dr.lajuanhall@gmail.com.

We advance excellence through ethics, profes‐ sionalism, and leadership in oral healthcare.