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About Nader A. Nadershahi, DDS, MBA, EdD

As an 18-year-old college freshman, Nader Nadershahi spent plenty of hours at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry while his brother, Navid Knight '89, was a dental student. Back then, Nader didn't realize the days he spent cutting preparations in the laboratory and chatting with faculty would influence his future decision to pursue dentistry as a career.

After graduating from Pacific with his DDS degree in 1994 and returning to teach part time in 1995, Nader recalls the positive energy that drew him to the school in the first place.

"There's this feeling you get from the people here that is just really inviting and genuine," Nader says. "At my undergraduate university, nobody really knew who I was or cared how I was doing. It was almost a culture shock coming to Pacific because people wanted to get to know me and cared about my success. That environment is really why I came back to teach."

Nader's various roles at the school have included several faculty positions in all areas of the curriculum, leadership roles as a Group Practice Administrator, Department Chair, Executive Associate Dean and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. In June 2015 he was named Dean after serving as Interim Dean for nearly a year.

He is determined to continue the humanistic model of education that he experienced as a student. By focusing on mutual respect, high standards, dignity and self-worth, Nader knows he's educating the future leaders in dentistry.

"Humanism is part of our culture here and I think that gives us a competitive advantage," he says. "Our students have the benefit of being exposed to that culture and it really makes a difference in what kind of practitioners they become."

Nader holds a doctorate degree in education from Pacific's Benerd School of Education and has an MBA from Pacific's Eberhardt School of Business. He is a fellow of the International and American College of Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry International and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Nader also owns and operates a private general dentistry practice in San Anselmo, California, with his wife, Dr. Niloufar Nadershahi '91, who is also a Pacific alumna. The Nadershahis live in San Rafael, California, with their son, Cole and daughter, Kayla.

Positions

2022 - Present Dean and Vice Provost, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2012 - Present Thesis and Dissertation Committee Member, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2007 - Present Professor of Diagnostic Sciences, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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1995 - Present Lecturer, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2016 - 2022 Dean, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2015 - 2016 Interim Dean, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2011 - 2015 Executive Associate Dean and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2011 - 2015 Pathways Program MA in Dental Education, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2008 - 2015 Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2010 - 2011 Acting Dean, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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March 2006 - December 2010 General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Anselmo Smile Dental
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2007 - 2009 Director of Advanced Education in General Dentistry, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2007 - 2008 Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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2004 - 2007 Chair of the Department of Dental Practice, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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1999 - 2006 Group Practice Administrator, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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1996 - 2006 Clinical Teaching, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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October 1995 - March 2006 CEO / General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Marin Square Dental Group
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1999 - 2004 Course Director, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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1995 - 2001 Preclinical Teaching, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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Curriculum Vitae

Disciplines

Grants

2002 - 2002 Dental Treatment Outcomes and HIV Status: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study
University of the Pacific Research Committee
$1,575
2002 - 2002 Simulated Clinical Trials for the Safe-Step Safety Syringe System
Med-Design Corp
Role: Co-PI
$23,600
2000 - 2000 Risk Management and Quality Assurance
American Dental Education Association
Role: Assoc-PI
$1,650
1999 - 1999 Aerosolization in the Dental Environs
Pacific Dental Research Foundation
Role: PI
$1,500
$
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2022 - Present Board of Directors, Member, Bay Area Council
2020 - Present Member, COVID-19 Public-Private Partner Dental Coordination Group
2019 - Present Editorial Board Member, Journal of the California Dental Association
2019 - Present Board of Visitors, University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine
2017 - Present Member, Santa Fe Group
2023 - 2024 Finance Committee, Chair, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
2023 - 2024 Board of Directors, Chair, International Dental Education Association
2021 - 2024 Finance Committee, Member, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
2021 - 2024 Board of Directors, Member, International Dental Education Association
2022 - 2023 Board of Directors, Chair, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
2022 - 2023 DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) Workgroup, Co-chair, California Dental Association (CDA)
2021 - 2023 Centennial Celebration Planning Committee Member, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
2021 - 2023 Annual Session Program Committee, Chair-elect, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
2021 - 2023 New Thinking for the New Century Steering Committee, Chair, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
2021 - 2023 Member, California Health Workforce Education and Training Council
2021 - 2021 ADA House of Delegates, CDA 13th District Delegate, American Dental Association (ADA)
2010 - 2015 Vice President, International Federation of Dental Educators and Associations (IFDEA)
2010 - 2015 Board of Directors, Member, International Federation of Dental Educators and Associations (IFDEA)
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Honors and Awards

  • Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors Citation - 2017
  • Medallion of Distinction - University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Alumni Association - 2013
  • Fellowship in American College of Dentists - 2007
  • Fellowship in Academy of Dentistry International - 2007
  • American College of Dentists Northern California Distinguished Faculty Member Award - 2006
  • Pierre Fauchard Academy Northern California Section award for Excellence in Dental Education – 2006
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society - 2006
  • ADA Certificate of Appreciation for youth mentoring program - 2005
  • Fellowship in International College of Dentists - 2003
  • Fellowship in ADEA Leadership Institute – 2003
  • Pierre Fauchard Academy Dental Faculty Development Grant Award – 2002
  • University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Faculty of the Month - 2002
  • University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Class of 2001 2nd Year Faculty Award - 2001
  • University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Class of 2002 Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Guidance - 2001
  • Fellowship in Pierre Fauchard Academy - 2000
  • University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Executive Student Council Certificate of Excellence - 2000

Education

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2006 - 2011 EdD, Education and Leadership, University of the Pacific
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1995 - 1999 MBA, Business Administration, University of the Pacific
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1994 - 1995 Certificate, General Practice Residency, Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital
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1991 - 1994 DDS, Dental Surgery, University of the Pacific ‐ Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
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1988 - 1991 B.A., Integrative Biology and Visual Arts, University of California - Berkeley
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Links

Contact Information

University of the Pacific
Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
155 Fifth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

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