Avishai Sadan
Avishai Sadan was named dean of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and the G. Donald and Marian James Montgomery Professor of Dentistry in September 2009. Sadan is a renowned prosthodontist and a prolific author in the field of dental biomaterials research. His special interest is the long-term durability of adhesion to silica-based and oxide-based ceramic interfaces. Sadan previously served as Chair, Department of Comprehensive Care and Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine.
Under his leadership, the dental school has been consistently ranked at the top of private dental schools receiving research funds from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. During his tenure, the school’s community outreach has expanded significantly, increasing the school’s impact on the community’s health and well-being across Southern California. Sadan has spearheaded numerous educational and curricular innovations, including an emphasis on providing students with unique keystone experiences, using the latest technologies and treatment modalities. He also focuses on maintaining the school’s strong faculty legacy, especially through the recruiting and mentoring of junior faculty members. The dental school includes the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, both of which consistently rank among the top in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report.
In 2010, the USC School of Dentistry received a naming gift — the largest gift ever received by a dental school from an individual — and was renamed the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Additionally, in 2015 the USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy received the largest naming gift in occupational therapy and occupational sciences and was renamed the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. The school completed the most successful fundraising campaign in dental education, raising an unprecedented amount of more than $100 million.
In 2019, Sadan received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, a unique distinction presented annually to American citizens whose accomplishments in their field and inspired service to the United States are cause for celebration. Dr. Sadan was previously editor-in-chief of both Quintessence International and Quintessence of Dental Technology and has lectured and published nationally and internationally on biomaterials and esthetic and implant dentistry.
Sadan completed both a residency and a fellowship in prosthodontics at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry and obtained his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine. He received an MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business in 2014.