Arthur A. Dugoni

Arthur A. Dugoni (June 29, 1925 – September 23, 2020) was an American dentist and educator. He served as dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific, which was later renamed the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.^[1]

Dugoni held leadership positions in several major dental organizations, serving as president of the California Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the American Dental Education Association, and the American Board of Orthodontics. He delivered lectures and published work on dentistry.^[1]

Dugoni advocated a student-centered, ‘humanistic model’ of dental education.^[2] He often expressed this philosophy with the phrase, "At Pacific, we grow people, and along the way, they become doctors."^[3] Dugoni worked to address the cost of dental education and to advance dental licensure reform.^[4]

Dugoni was born on June 29, 1925, in San Francisco, California, to Italian immigrant parents Arthur B. and Lina Dugoni.^[3][5] He graduated as valedictorian from St. James High School in San Francisco.^[3]

Dugoni began his undergraduate studies at the University of San Francisco at age 17 before transferring to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where he graduated in 1944.^[2][6] After receiving a tour from his family dentist, Dugoni enrolled in dental school at the University of Missouri–Kansas City before completing his D.D.S. degree at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco.^[3][7]

After establishing a clinical practice, Dugoni returned to dental school in 1951 as an assistant professor for operative dentistry. In 1963, he completed his M.D.S. degree in Orthodontics at the University of Washington. He also established the primary and mixed dentition orthodontic clinic at the University of the Pacific. Dugoni maintained a private orthodontic practice in South San Francisco until 1987.^[3]

In 1978, Dugoni was appointed dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific. During his tenure as dean, he created a simulation lab, launched an International Dentist Studies program, and performed research that led to new dental products and techniques. In 2006, he raised $65.7 million for the school in a capital campaign, which was a major fundraising milestone achieved by any U.S. dental school at the time.^[3] Dugoni resigned as dean later that year.^[8]

Dugoni was elected in 1998 to the FDI World Dental Federation List of Honour.^[9] In 2001, he received the William John Gies Award from the American College of Dentists.^[10] The California Dental Association recognized him with its Dale F. Redig Distinguished Service Award in 2003.^[11] In 2009, the ADEAGies Foundation honored him with its Award for Outstanding Achievement—Dental Educator.^[12] He received honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Detroit, the University of Louisville, and Louisiana State University.

On August 28, 2004, the School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific renamed the school the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.^[7][13]

Dugoni and his wife, Katherine, were married for 66 years and had seven children.^[1][14]

Dugoni died on September 23, 2020, at the age of 95 at his home in Palo Alto.^[1][14]