Humanism. This is the one word that has shaped Dr. Mark Booth’s teaching philosophy and patient-first clinical efforts as assistant director of the Pacific Health Care Collaborative in Sacramento. Booth played a fundamental role in building the clinical environment at PHCC, the first International Dental Studies program to integrate dental education with medical education and collaborative healthcare. At PHCC, students and healthcare professionals learn and work together to build meaningful relationships with their patients, support ethical decision-making and grow professionally and personally.
“Our students need to understand that every patient who sits in the dental chair is more than a diagnosis or treatment plan. They are individuals with their own experiences, concerns, expectations and needs.”
Reflecting on his own time as a dental student at the Dugoni School of Dentistry, Booth says that the humanistic approach to dental education championed by the late Dr. Dugoni himself had a profound impact on him, motivating him to pass that gift and mindset on to future generations of students.
“For me, teaching is not simply about helping students become technically proficient dentists. It is about helping them become compassionate, ethical and thoughtful healthcare professionals.”
Booth shares that the past two years working at PHCC and contributing to its mission have been some of the most rewarding of his career as a dental educator. He looks forward to the many years ahead of growth and success and the impact the collaborative program will have on its students, patients and the broader healthcare community.
“If the patient is not at the center of our care, then we have strayed from our fundamental mission as healthcare providers—to help and to heal. I want our students to leave Dugoni not only as excellent clinicians but also as compassionate professionals who listen to their patients, understand their needs and always put the person before the procedure. As Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni so eloquently stated, ‘At Pacific, we grow people, and along the way they become doctors.’”
About the Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Faculty Award
The Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Faculty Award is named in honor of Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni, a pioneer in dental education and leadership. Throughout his career, Dugoni held many esteemed positions, including president of the American Dental Association. Amongst his other important innovations, Dugoni is credited with enhancing the humanistic model of dental education.
The CDA Foundation typically accepts applications for the Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Faculty Award January 1–March 31 each year. Learn more about the award and explore the Foundation’s other grants, awards and programs that support dental students and patient-first care.