Bulletin of Dental Education Article

The University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (Dugoni School) family and generous community supporters recently gathered to raise funds for the school’s Kids in the Klinic program (KITK), which provides vital dental care, education and preventive services desperately needed by underserved children across San Francisco’s Bay Area.

The event raised over $1 million—a record-setting amount for a single-day fundraising event by the dental school.  

Held March 1 at the InterContinental San Francisco, the Breakfast at Tiffany’s-themed event featured elegant décor, a reception and dinner, as well as silent and live auctions offering unique getaways, exclusive wines and one-of-a-kind dining experiences. The evening’s fund-a-need portion, bolstered by matching funds from University of the Pacific’s Powell Fund and an additional challenge from the Alumni Association and alumna Nava Fathi, from the Class of 1995, raised over $500,000.

Speakers included former Congresswoman and current member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Jackie Speier, who represented California’s 14th congressional district from 2008 to 2023. A long-standing supporter of children’s oral health, Congresswoman Speier was a patient at the school’s dental clinic as a child.

Health journalist Mary Otto shared insights about the role that oral health plays in our society. She is the author of the book Teeth: The Story of Beauty, Inequality, and the Struggle for Oral Health in America, which she wrote after investigating the story of Deamonte Driver, a 12-year-old boy from Maryland who died of an untreated dental infection.

The event also recognized Susan A. Bittner, D.D.S., Class of 1974, former president of the Children’s Dental Health Care League and current board member of the Dugoni School Foundation. Dr. Bittner founded the Kids in the Klinic program nearly 30 years ago with a grant from the Hutto Patterson Foundation.

KITK has grown to serve more than 1,500 children and adolescents annually, offering more than $100,000 worth of free and reduced-cost dental care each year. Many of these young patients—some living with medical problems, birth defects or other debilitating conditions—don’t have any other access to dental care.

According to the California Dental Association, 500,000 children statewide miss about 874,000 school days each year due to dental problems. On average, 61% of third graders have experienced tooth decay and 22% have untreated tooth decay—and socioeconomically disadvantaged children are at an even higher risk. When left untreated, dental problems can cause infections that interfere with speaking, eating and learning, and may lead to lifelong deficits.

The event committee was co-led by alumnus Michael Fox, D.D.S., Class of 1982, and Brenda Zawatski, a friend of the dental school. Generous sponsors of the event included Samaritan Endodontics, the Calderoni Family, and Kyla Action Health (Diamond Level); Adobe, Inc., Qatalyst Partners, and Bloomingdales (Platinum Level); and Cocofloss, Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics, Wells Fargo, and J.P. Morgan Wealth Management (Gold Level).

Nader A. Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ed.D., Dean of the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, speaking at the Kids in the Klinic fundraiser event.

“This incredible showing of generosity will make a difference in the lives of so many children and families,” said Nader A. Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ed.D., Dean of the Dugoni School. “We are grateful to everyone who stepped up to organize the event and donate their time and resources to improve the health of underserved people in our communities. What a magical evening and what an incredible showing of generosity and care for the children of our community.”

For more information, visit the dental school’s website. 

Courtesy of Dan Soin, M.B.A., Associate Dean of Marketing and Communications, University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

Published on April 9, 2025