Mark Hayashi, DMD, vice chair for the section of restorative dentistry at UCLA School of Dentistry, has received the California Dental Association Foundation’s Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Faculty Award for 2023.
The late Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni’s lifetime of service, leadership and achievement is the inspiration for this distinguished honor. The award acknowledges and supports eligible faculty affiliated with the state’s dental schools for their exceptional leadership, innovation, collaboration, compassion, philanthropic spirit and integrity in dental education. Recipients of the award are nominated by CDA members, including students, and California dental school faculty.
Compassionate and pioneering leadership
Hayashi’s students shared that they aspire to lead and serve the way he does. They cite the way he led the Western Los Angeles Dental Society during the pandemic, finding ways to continue to offer quality C.E. options and building the community virtually. Students also recall how quickly Hayashi mobilized and organized a PPE drive to serve fellow health care workers immediately after the pandemic began.
“His involvement in organized dentistry has motivated many of my peers to seek out membership and leadership within WLADS and CDA,” noted UCLA School of Dentistry student Arian Faron, who nominated Hayashi for the award.
Outside of organized dentistry, Hayashi is committed to the health and well-being of his students. He hosts an informal weekly running club that is open to anyone who would like to join.
Education enriched by experience
Hayashi has been instrumental in creating and establishing multiple innovative exercises, programs and protocols that enrich the experience of dental students at UCLA.
He spearheaded the effort to implement the use of silver diamine fluoride in the pre-doctoral clinic. He added exercises to the curriculum that helped students gain a better understanding of the importance of technique in treatment protocols. He also led a team that launched a mobile-friendly website for the pre-doctoral clinic that centralized clinical policies and procedures in an easy-to-use format.
To create partnerships that strengthen dental students’ experience and involve community dentists in the future of dental education, Hayashi helped to establish the Venice Dental Center Restorative Clerkship program. In this program, 12 students are selected to participate in a six-month weekly rotation. The dental residents provide broad cross-disciplinary treatment under the supervision of specialists and general dentist faculty, including Hayashi. The partnership benefits both patients in the community and the students who are building skills.
Compassion for patients and students
While Hayashi is known for his commitment to enhancing dental students’ education beyond the curriculum, he also excels at encouraging dental students to focus on patient care and communication. Every quarter he hosts a meeting with each class to review clinical requirements and makes a point to remind students of their purpose to provide compassionate care.
His students state that he pushes them to practice with integrity, generosity and humility.
Faron says, “I have witnessed Dr. Hayashi’s above-and-beyond commitment to students. He tirelessly advocates for us and sacrifices his time for the success of his students.”
Examples of his dedication to student success include hosting practice sessions ahead of licensing exams and sacrificing his faculty schedule to make sure students have uninterrupted clinic sessions. “Dr. Hayashi is always the last faculty to leave the clinic, sometimes staying hours past the end of the clinic session to assist struggling students,” Faron adds.
The Foundation will accept nominations for the 2024 Dugoni Faculty Award beginning Jan. 1. and see a list of past recipients.
The CDA Foundation offers financial support to dental professionals and community-based organizations statewide that provide dental care to underserved communities. Visit the Foundation website to learn more about other grants, awards and programs.