Charles J. Goodacre, DDS, MSD
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
Dean’s Message
Dentistry is a strategic component of overall health, and Loma Linda University School of Dentistry is a vibrant center of education where you will acquire knowledge, technical skills, management expertise, and the ability to exceed patients’ expectations. The education you receive at Loma Linda University will provide you with the ability to thrive in your dental career.
Our faculty is committed to providing you with an evidence-based education that incorporates the most advanced electronic education resources available. You will receive abundant experience in patient care, both in the School of Dentistry and at extramural clinics that help meet the dental health needs of people with limited or no access to dental care.
Our ongoing commitment to clinical and foundational research provides you with rich opportunities to work with outstanding faculty in a wide variety of investigative activities.
At Loma Linda University, you will receive an excellent contemporary dental education filled with rich clinical experience. However, it is the people who have been drawn to this unique environment of Christian education that make Loma Linda University a special place. I invite you to learn more about our clinical services, programs, and our exceptional family of students, faculty, and staff.
Charles J. Goodacre, DDS, MSD
Introduction
Loma Linda University (LLU) is a Seventh-day Adventist educational health-sciences institution with more than 3,000 students located in Southern California. Seven schools and the Faculty of Religion and Faculty of Graduate Studies comprise the University organization. More than 55 programs are offered by the Schools of Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Science and Technology. Curricula offered range from certificates of completion and associate in science degrees to doctor of philosophy and professional doctoral degrees. Students from more than 80 countries around the world and virtually every state in the nation are represented in LLU’s student body.
Our mission seeks to further the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ “to make man whole” by:
- Educating ethical and proficient Christian health professionals and scholars through instruction, example, and the pursuit of truth.
- Expanding knowledge through research in the biological, behavioral, physical, and environmental sciences and applying this knowledge to health and disease.
- Providing comprehensive, competent, and compassionate health care for the whole person through faculty, students, and alumni.
Since 1953, the LLU School of Dentistry has sought to inspire and teach dental care that is comprehensive in its technical excellence and in its orientation to awareness of the total health needs of the individual patient. The School offers the doctor of dental surgery degree and a bachelor of science degree in dental hygiene as well as advanced education programs in dental anesthesia, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, and implant dentistry. In addition, an international dentist program educates dentists who have been trained in other countries to earn a DDS degree.
Highlights
Service learning in Loma Linda University School of Dentistry exists
- to fulfill Christ’s commission, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
- to further the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ
- to foster an altruistic orientation in faculty, staff, and students
- to serve those unable to procure health care locally and abroad
To date, more than 1,000 students have participated in domestic service learning trips; treating 3,767 patients and performing 3,255 procedures at local elementary schools, health fairs, homeless shelters, and inner city clinics, among others.
- Loma Linda University School of Dentistry is committed to finding innovative ways to implement advances in technology in the classroom. Significant effort is being placed on developing and increasing educational material accessible electronically.
An online library (a Searchable Digital Asset Library) is scheduled to go online in 2007. Students, residents, and faculty will be able to access instructional video segments of clinical procedures, podcasts, documents, and images, among others.
- In 2007, members of the dental class of 1957 celebrated their 50th anniversary; they are members of the first dental class from Loma Linda University to celebrate their golden anniversary. The class was honored during the School’s annual Alumni Student Convention with 33 of the 36 living members traveling to Loma Linda for the celebration.
In 2003 the School of Dentistry celebrated its 50th anniversary. 900 alumni and friends assembled in Gentry Auditorium to commemorate the founding of the School. Dr. Charles Goodacre, the current dean, and past deans Judson Klooster, and Charles T. Smith, were present for the Celebration.
History
In the early 20th century as dentistry became a prominent profession, many young Seventh-day Adventists wanted to become dentists. At that time most dental schools in the United States scheduled classes and exams on Saturday. Adventists had to petition for exams on other days leading to resentment from faculty, staff, and other students. Temporary solutions included persuading colleges, such as Atlanta-Southern Dental College, to excuse Seventh-day Adventist students from classes on Saturdays. In early 1938, the National Association of Seventh-day Adventists Dentists proposed plans for opening a Church-operated dental school, but discussion was delayed, as money was tight during the depression and world wars. In 1951, the Seventh-day Adventist Church recommended establishing a school of dentistry in Loma Linda, California. The school matriculated its first class of dentists in 1953 and graduated the first class in 1957. Loma Linda University School of Dentistry became the forty-third dental school in America and the sixth west of the Rocky Mountains.
1938—Percy T. Magan, president of the College of Medical Evangelists (CME), writes to Herbert G. Childs, DDS asking him to prepare a formal proposal for the establishment of a School of Dentistry at Loma Linda; a masterful proposal was presented to Adventist Church and CME leaders concerned with the project.
1942—A meeting is held to consider a dental school
1945—Treasury of General Conference asks Dr. Walter Macpherson to “Study costs” regarding dental school
1949—The American Dental Association holds its annual meeting in San Francisco; the National Association of Seventh-day Adventist Dentists (NASDAD) also holds a meeting where 75 - 80 Adventist dentists are present, the most to have met at one time and planning begins for a dental school
1951—General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists authorizes School of Dentistry
1952—M. Webster Prince appointed first dean of the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. His main goal and objective—“to live long enough to see the School of Dentistry attain a position in the field of dental education that shall reflect credit upon the Seventh-day Adventist denomination and send a never-ending stream of consecrated young men and women into the field of service for humanity.”
1953—School of Dentistry opens and first classes begin
1957—School of Dentistry receives its first accreditation
1959—School of dentistry begins baccalaureate program in dental hygiene.
1961—College of Medical Evangelists renamed Loma Linda University
1962—Advanced education program in periodontics established
1964—Advanced education program in oral and maxillofacial surgery and formal continuing dental education program established
1967—Advanced education program in endodontics established
1976—Graduate program in implant dentistry established
1978—Postdoctoral graduate training program in dental anesthesiology established
1984—A biomaterials research program is initiated
1990—First “School With a Heart” (now called “Clinic With a Heart”) held, providing a day of free dental care for the community
1992—new Biomaterials Research Laboratory opened
1993—Advanced education programs in pediatric dentistry and prosthodontics are established
1994—Charles J. Goodacre begins tenure as dean, bringing to the School a commitment to dental education and whole person care.
1996—School of Dentistry serves millionth patient
1998—Center for Dental Research opened it includes a biocompatibility and toxicology laboratory
1998—School of Dentistry opens clinic in Mecca elementary school; in just eight weeks, 200 first- through third-grade children in the farming areas of Mecca receive dental treatment, some for the first time in their lives.
1999—A $2.8 million dollar expansion of the School of Dentistry (Prince Hall) begins. The expansion will house the enlarged pediatric dentistry clinic and the Surgery Center for Dentistry. A new student laboratory will be located on the ground floor, and the second-floor main clinic will contain 36 new operatories
2001—The School is awarded a $900,000 federal Ryan White CARE Act (RWA) grant from Health Resources Services Administration to operate a student training program in managing dental treatment for HIV positive patients.
2003—The School of Dentistry celebrates its 50th anniversary.
