Mark Mintline, DDS, an associate professor at Western University of Health Sciences , has received the CDA Foundation’s 2025 Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Faculty Award.
The late Dr. Dugoni’s lifetime of selfless service and achievement in dentistry is the inspiration for this distinguished honor. The award acknowledges and supports eligible faculty affiliated with California’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 the state’s dental school faculty.
Establishing space for learning and patient care
In 2022, Dr. Mintline helped establish the WesternU Health Oral Pathology Laboratory as its founding laboratory director. The Oral Pathology Laboratory is the first high‐complexity clinical laboratory at WesternU, and it is one of two specialty oral pathology laboratories in the United States to achieve accreditation from the College of American Pathologists.
As laboratory director, Mintline is responsible for delivering high‐quality oral pathology diagnostic services that are crucial to outstanding patient care. The laboratory also provides numerous research and educational opportunities to WesternU students and health care providers.
Facilitating the application of knowledge
Along with directing the laboratory’s hands-on learning opportunities, Mintline carries a busy instructional schedule. He teaches an integrated and interprofessional curricula to dental, master’s, optometry and medical students at WesternU.
“My aim is to train future health care providers to become excellent humanistic practitioners,” said Mintline. He explained that his goal is to move students beyond the simple mastery of facts to being able to apply knowledge in unfamiliar clinical scenarios. “A patient-centered and interprofessional approach is essential to high-quality care.”
Mintline’s colleagues point out his dedication to student success. WesternU’s Dean of the College of Dental Medicine, Elizabeth Andrews, DDS, MS, observed, “His office door is always open to answer student questions, and he frequently comes to the Dental Center on his off days to assist students with patient consultations.” Andrews noted that Mintline is considered a favorite among students for his ability to break down tough topics, create clinically relevant lectures and put students first.
Integrating student experience with community partnerships
Mintline’s efforts have positioned the Oral Pathology Laboratory as an important bridge between the College of Dental Medicine and the community.
Notably, Mintline has been instrumental in forming external partnerships, securing extramural funding and spearheading the development of the Biopsies Save Lives, Oral Biopsies Save Lives and Ryan White Part F programs at WesternU. As both a principal investigator and co‐investigator, Mintline and the College of Dental Medicine clinical team have successfully secured over $2 million in grant funding to help increase access to oral health care services for under-resourced communities and improve student education.
“My most rewarding and memorable professional experiences are related to serving patients alongside students, residents, and colleagues in the Biopsies Save Lives and Oral Biopsies Save Lives programs,” Mintline said. “It is a privilege to deliver services that help accelerate diagnosis times and save lives.”
Andrews said the initiatives “have significantly decreased the oral health gap for under‐resourced communities, offering essential no‐cost services.” Services include no‐cost oral diagnostics such as screening, imaging, biopsy and diagnosis of oral cavity lesions as well as low‐cost dental care for individuals living with HIV. Andrews explained that these programs have been a valuable contribution to student education as they provide direct support for student-centered training and help students gain critical clinical experience.
Of being the latest recipient of the Dugoni Faculty Award, Mintline said, “I share this award with all of my colleagues at WesternU who advocate for oral health equity and participate in the multidisciplinary care of patients.”
Nominations for 2026 Dugoni Faculty Award
The CDA Foundation will accept nominations for the 2026 Dugoni Faculty Award beginning Jan. 1. Learn more about the award 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 about other grants, awards and programs.