Dr. Arthur Dugoni of the University of the Pacific dies

Arthur Dugoni, DDS, dean of the University of the Pacific's school of dentistry for 28 years, died on September 23 at the age of 95.

He took a student-centered, caring, "humanistic" approach to dentistry that became a national model in dental education, according to the University of the Pacific. He had the following mantra: "At Pacific we grow people, and along the way they become doctors."

Arthur Dugoni, DDS. Image courtesy of the University of the Pacific.

Dr. Dugoni started his position as dean in 1978 and retired in 2006. His prior roles at Pacific included assistant professor of operative dentistry, assistant professor of pediatric dentistry, assistant professor of orthodontics, chairman of the department of orthodontics, associate professor of orthodontics, and professor of orthodontics. Dr. Dugoni played such a pivotal role at the university that the dental school was named after him in August 2004, making him the first and only person in the U.S. or Canada to have a dental school named in their honor while holding the position of dean.

On top of leading the dental school, Dr. Dugoni also served as president of the California Dental Association, the ADA, the American Dental Education Association, and the American Board of Orthodontics. He was one of only 30 living members globally of the FDI World Dental Federation's List of Honour, according to the University of the Pacific.

Dr. Dugoni is survived by his companion of recent years, Cathie Perga; his sister, Evelyn Fiorina; and seven children. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren.