The alumni association is highly effective in its efforts to protect the public interest, improve dental education, and expand the horizons of the profession of dentistry. The institution, its excellent reputation, and its unequalled physical facilities are the direct result of unswerving loyalty and active support of its alumni association. The association's interest in the total university program is further demonstrated by School of Dentistry alumni representation on the board of directors of the Pacific Alumni Association.

Through a student-alumni committee, the association sponsors recreational events throughout the year and assists student participation in organized intra- and extramural events such as the city softball league; Bay to Breakers race, and golf, basketball, and cribbage tournaments.

Pacific Dental Education Foundation (PDEF)

The Pacific Dental Education Foundation (PDEF) is the fund-raising component for the School of Dentistry. It is committed to supporting excellence in dental education at the school. The foundation has three major fund-raising constituents that encompass all donor activities: the P&S Fund, the Endowment Society, and the Special Projects Committee.

Formerly known as the "P&S Club," the "P&S Fund" consists of annual donations from members who include alumni, non-alumni, and friends of the profession. The dean uses these funds support the needs of the institution. Membership may be maintained on an annual basis. Benefits include invitation to the annual P&S Ball, postgradute education course privileges according to membership level, unlimited access to the school's learning center, and special invitation to school events.

The endowment society was started in 1982 by alumni, parents, and friends to provide additional financial support for the School of Dentistry's future needs. Membership in the society is achieved by making a gift to the school in the form of a bequest, a life insurance policy, a charitable trust, or other planned gift. The school's ability to provide scholarships, endowed faculty chairs, guest lecture chairs, research grants, and faculty enrichment seminars depends on the support of this group.

Founded in 1991, the special projects committee focuses on raising major gifts for capital campaigns at the school. The funds provided by such gifts go towards building construction, maintenance, and renovation, all of which are vital to the continued excellence of Pacific's dental education.

Professional Orgaizations

American Dental Association (ADA) website
American Student Dental Association (ASDA)
All University of the Pacific dental students are members of ASDA and, concurrently, student members of the American Dental Association with all the rights and privileges of such membership. Benefits are detailed in publications distributed by these organizations.
California Dental Association (CDA) website
University of the Pacific students were the first of California's dental school population to take advantage of the student membership category offered by the California Dental Association. A modest annual dues fee provides each student member with CDA publications, access without charge to CDA meetings, and the opportunity to enroll in CDA's group disability insurance plan.
American Dental Education Association (ADEA) website
The council of students is one of seven councils of the ADEA. The school's elected representatives to this council participate in the ADEA annual session and regional meetings. The council of students has an administrative board consisting of a vice president who serves on the ADEA executive committee, and a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, and member at large. The council elects several student delegates who have full voting privileges in the ADEA House of Delegates.

Honor Societies

Pacific is rather unique in that it supports two associations which honor outstanding dental students. Pacific is proud to honor the accomplishments of its outstanding dental students who demonstrate superior clinical and scholastic achievements.

Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) is a national dental honor society which honors superior dental students based on scholarship and character at the end of their DDS education. OKU is known as the Phi Beta Kappa of dentistry. The Delta Delta Chapter of OKU was founded at Pacific in 1933. Within a few weeks of graduation, faculty, who are members of OKU, review the list of the top 20% of the class and select the individuals they consider to be in the top 12%. Those selected are inducted into membership during an elegant ceremony just prior to graduation. More info...
Tau Kappa Omega Honor Society (TKO) is an honor society which is unique to Pacific. Pacific feels that it is very important and appropriate to recognize and celebrate student excellence and achievement while still in school. Student members are challenged to continue to uphold their honor student distinction. By their actions and successes, they serve as role models for other students within the School of Dentistry.

TKO was founded in 1927 by Dr. Kenneth Nesbitt. The Greek Tau Kappa Omega means honor and service to alma mater . TKO has established principles in scholarship and service and has served as an incentive for professional accomplishment.