08 September 2025

---

Dean Reddy Reappointment—Reflections and a Look Ahead

---

UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood has reappointed Mike Reddy as Dean of the School of Dentistry from February 2025 until February 2030.

The Chancellor's decision was based on the results of a review by a stewardship committee composed of faculty from across UCSF. The stewardship committee recommended that Dean Reddy's appointment be renewed without restriction.

"I am very thankful for the Stewardship Committee's extensive review and grateful to everyone who provided valuable feedback throughout the process," Chancellor Hawgood said. "I look forward to seeing the School of Dentistry thrive in the coming years under Mike’s capable leadership."

We spoke with Dean Reddy after his reappointment was announced to discuss the challenges he and his team faced during his time at the school and what he thinks the future holds for patient care, research, and dental education.

Q: Looking back at what your team has accomplished over the first term, what makes you most proud?

It is both humbling and inspiring to reflect on what we have accomplished together as a community. Navigating financial challenges, curriculum updates, and clinical improvements has not always been easy, but knowing that our collective efforts are making a tangible difference fuels my commitment to this work every day.

The praise for our efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic belongs with my incredible leadership team and the entire School of Dentistry community. It was through our shared dedication and resilience that we were able to prioritize safety while continuing to deliver a world-class education. One of the greatest joys of this role has been engaging with learners and creating a space where they feel supported, heard, and valued. Their enthusiasm and drive inspire me to continue advocating for an educational environment that fosters growth and excellence.

I am particularly proud of the progress we’ve made in building a culture where everyone feels they belong.

Q: What surprised you the most during your first five years in the School of Dentistry?

What surprised me the most during my first five years in the School of Dentistry was the extraordinary depth of commitment from every part of the community—faculty, staff, learners, and alumni alike. I expected excellence, but I did not fully anticipate the strength of the shared mission, especially in times of uncertainty or challenge. The willingness of people to collaborate and find solutions together consistently exceeded my expectations. It reminded me that while strategic vision and resources matter, it is the people who ultimately drive progress.

Q: What has been the most challenging obstacle you have encountered?

The most challenging obstacle has been navigating the balance between urgent, short-term demands and the long-term strategic changes needed to move the school forward. Dentistry, like all of health education, is under increasing pressure—from financial constraints and evolving accreditation standards, to student well-being and rapid technological change. Responding to immediate needs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, required constant adaptation.

At the same time, advancing foundational initiatives—like improving our clinical infrastructure, modernizing our curriculum, and building a more inclusive culture—demands sustained focus and collaboration. Maintaining momentum on those long-term goals, while supporting our community through ongoing uncertainty, has been both the hardest and most important challenge. It’s taught me that real progress isn’t always fast or linear, but with trust and persistence, it is absolutely possible.

Q: How do you imagine technology will change how clinics are run in the next half-decade?

In the next five years, I believe technology—fueled by advances in biomedical research—will fundamentally transform how dental clinics are run, making them more efficient and patient centered. AI-powered tools will assist with radiographic interpretation, caries detection, and also detecting early signs of systemic disease.

These tools, combined with digital workflows like intraoral scanning, 3D printing, and chairside CAD/CAM systems, will streamline everything from treatment planning to prosthetic fabrication. The hope is this will reduce turnaround times and improve accuracy.

Biomedical research will play a growing role in clinical care through innovations like salivary diagnostics, biomarker-based disease detection, and regenerative therapies. These will allow for earlier intervention, personalized prevention strategies, and even real-time monitoring of oral-systemic health connections. Clinics might soon incorporate data from genomics, microbiome studies, and patient-reported outcomes to tailor care to each individual.

On the operational side, smart scheduling, automated documentation, and integrated electronic health records will enhance workflow efficiency and support more coordinated care. With some luck, that will even help reduce provider burnout. Remote monitoring and teledentistry will improve access—especially for underserved populations and follow-up care.

My hope is that the convergence of biomedical discovery and clinical technology will reshape dental clinics into research-informed environments that integrate precision care, prevention, and access.

Q: What is your main priority for the next 5 years as Dean of the School of Dentistry?

My priority is to advance the school to the forefront of biomedical research, healthcare, and technology. Biomedical research has led to breakthroughs such as CRISPR gene editing, mRNA vaccine platforms, and lab-grown tissues—and that's only the beginning!

Healthcare systems are evolving alongside these scientific advances. The integration of dental care across other health specialties and settings is also improving, along with a broader focus on social determinants of health. Technologies like telehealth and remote monitoring have made health services more accessible and responsive.

Technology plays a crucial role across all areas. Emerging technologies like digital twins, brain-computer interfaces, and nanomedicine are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in both research and treatment.

My goal is to make sure we stay current as these fields converge. I'm hoping that will bring us a future of improved health outcomes, innovative therapies, and more personalized care.

Source: https://dentistry.ucsf.edu/