Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi Joins the American Dental Association as Senior Vice President of Education/Professional Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, June 18, 2025 — The American Dental Association (ADA) is pleased to announce Nader A. Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., EdD will serve the Association as its Senior Vice President of Education/Professional Affairs.

Dr. Nadershahi will direct the Association’s educational affairs and related matters, including policy decisions and activities pertaining to accreditation of predoctoral, advanced and allied educational programs through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA); dental and allied dental education policy; licensure and testing services; continuing education provider recognition and liaise with various educational communities.

“The landscape of oral health education is constantly evolving to meet and exceed the needs of tomorrow’s professionals,” said Dr. Nadershahi. “I am wholly focused on elevating and innovating upon the strong foundation of ADA educational programming, policies and offerings to forge new pathways for growth and development in service of our profession and our organization.”

Dr. Nadershahi previously served as the ninth Dean of University of the Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and Vice Provost of the San Francisco campus, bringing nearly 30 years of leadership experience in dental education, organized dentistry and clinical practice. During his tenure, he led milestone projects such as strategic planning and implementation; the design and implementation of the school’s integrated curriculum and competencies; new facilities; and raised significant donor contributions for fundraising campaigns.

"It is an honor to welcome Dr. Nadershahi to our leadership team,” said Betsy Shapiro, D.D.S., Interim Executive Director of the ADA. “Dr. Nadershahi brings acutely informed vision and expertise to our educational programs and offerings that will firmly support future generations of dentists and the dental community."

Dr. Nadershahi has been actively involved in organized dentistry and dental education as the Chair of the Board for the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), as well as other leadership roles in the ADA and California Dental Association (CDA). He is also a fellow of the American College of Dentists, Academy of Dentistry International, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Dr. Nadershahi owned and operated private general dental practices in San Rafael and San Anselmo, California. He is also a board member for the Bay Area Council and San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and serves as Vice Chair of the California Health Workforce Education and Training Council.

About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing 159,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance has long been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), published monthly, is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org.