Dr. Ronald Mito, professor of clinical dentistry and executive associate dean for academic programs and personnel at the UCLA School of Dentistry, was recently awarded the 2016 Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Faculty Award by the California Dental Association.
In recognition of Dr. Dugoni’s vast accomplishments in dental education and organized dentistry, this award acknowledges and supports an individual faculty member for his or her exceptional leadership, innovation, collaboration, compassion, philanthropic spirit and integrity in dental education.
Dr. Mito, who graduated from the UCLA dental school in 1976 and completed his general practitioner residency the following year, teaches several courses, including one he co-developed for first-year students.
He has served in more than a dozen leadership capacities locally, statewide and nationally, including trustee of the California Dental Association, president of the American Association of Hospital Dentists and member of ADA Council on Government Affairs. Additionally, his community involvement over many years has earned him several awards and honors.
He was a governor’s appointee to the Dental Board of California. During his tenure, he helped to initiate the portfolio licensing efforts that involved collaboration between all schools and organized dentistry. He was also appointed by the secretary of Health and Human Services to the first advisory committee on training in primary care medicine and dentistry, which was advisory to the secretary and Congress. He was instrumental in the use of graduate medical education funding to support dental residency programs.
Mito has focused his academic creativity on the management of dental fear and anxiety and the professional development of dental students. He is recognized as an innovator in office-based dentistry under anesthesia for patients with severe phobias and anxieties.
He serves as a role model for students through active classroom discussions about the parameters of professionalism and the importance of ethics and integrity, especially when it extends beyond school or practice and into everyday life.
“Dr. Dugoni has been and still is a role model and mentor. To be recognized for emulating all that Dr. Dugoni stands for is the ultimate recognition,” Mito said. He plans to advance the teaching of professionalism and leadership and will continue to advocate to students the importance of being actively involved in the dental profession.
