Dr. Sara Hughes
Dr. Sara Hughes has been named associate dean for education and student affairs at the UCSF School of Dentistry. She succeeds Dr. Dorothy (Dabby) Perry, who retired earlier this year. Dr. Hughes will commence her duties in early January 2017.
"Dr. Hughes is one of the most qualified persons in the world for this position," said John D.B. Featherstone, MSc, PhD, dean of the School of Dentistry. "She emerged as the top candidate in an international search that spotlighted several other exceptional candidates. I am very excited to have her on board as we proceed with our curriculum revision and implementation of several exciting educational initiatives."
Dr. Hughes, a native of England, initially qualified as a Dental Care Professional (DCP) in 1987. She has since attained an honors degree in Health Promotion, master’s degree in Health Professional Education and doctorate in Education.
She is the founder and former head of the Dental Academy, an innovative educational partnership between the University of Portsmouth and King’s College London Dental Institute, England. The learning design and infrastructure of the school has since been widely adopted by others. In 2014, Dr. Hughes became the first dental nurse to receive a Personal Chair in recognition of her work.
Dr. Hughes’s work has taken her around the globe. She was appointed adjunct professor of the University of North Carolina in 2014, and currently lives and works in Singapore where she also acts as examiner for the Brunei government’s DCP programs. She has given keynote presentations worldwide.
Her work in dental education has been widely recognized. In 2012, Dr. Hughes was inaugurated National Teaching Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and in 2014 awarded Principal Fellow — the most prestigious awards in UK higher education.
In 2006, Dr. Hughes was appointed Member of the British Empire (MBE) by her Majesty the Queen of England, for services to dental education.