Students, residents, faculty and alumni at University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry affirmed their commitment to the highest ideals of ethics and professionalism in research by taking the Dental-Clinician Scientist Oath at a recent ceremony.

The event on June 7 — the second such annual ceremony — brought together participants from across the PRIMED (Practice-Based Research Integrating Multidisciplinary Experiences in Dental Schools) Clinical Research Training Programs. 

The PRIMED Fundamentals Program provided 20 hours of structured instruction and was completed by first-year DDS and IDS students, orthodontics residents and dental hygiene students. Meanwhile, the PRIMED Comprehensive Clinical Research Program involved 40 hours of advanced training and was completed by 20 faculty members, 15 alumni, and 15 students and residents.

Following the completion of their respective programs, all participants united for the Oath Ceremony to formally pledge their dedication to ethical, inclusive, and impactful clinical research. Each participant received a certificate issued by Stanford University in recognition of their training.

At the event, faculty members reflected on the importance of evidence-based practice and the power of clinical research to improve patient care. Dr. Rebecca Moazzez shared an overview of the program’s growth and the role of the Center for Innovation and Translation in supporting future clinician-scientists. Dr. David Lam provided a brief history of the Dental-Clinician Scientist Oath before leading this year’s cohort in the oath recitation. 

“It was a powerful moment that brought together the values of ethics, inquiry and responsibility to the communities we serve,” said Dr. Lam. 

The training is being supported by a $3.8 million, five-year grant by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health to fund the Pacific-Stanford PRIMED Program. PRIMED’s goal is to train the next generation of clinical oral health researchers to be equipped to translate research into practice. The program also aims to grow more clinician-scientists in the workforce.   

Earlier in the day, the Pacific-Stanford PRIMED Comprehensive Clinical Research Program Class of 2025 gathered at the Dugoni School. The session brought together an inaugural cohort of 20 alumni, 20 faculty and 15 students and residents for a morning of final group research presentations and reflection. Each of the eight research teams presented their project, developed collaboratively over the past nine months. 

“Participating in the PRIMED Fundamentals Program as a dental hygiene student was a valuable experience that introduced me to the foundations of clinical research and helped build my confidence in navigating this space,” said Hnin Thander Win, DH ’26. “The research oath ceremony empowered me to commit to ethical and impactful research alongside supportive peers and mentors.”

“I thought it was an amazing opportunity to learn about how to be the best researcher possible, I truly felt like I learned a lot. And with the ceremony, I felt proud to be able to participate and see all of the others who also valued being a quality researcher,” said Shanna Kurusu, DH ’26. 

Applications for the second cohort of the Pacific-Stanford PRIMED Comprehensive Clinical Research Program will open soon, with the next cycle launching in September 2025. 

Dental-Clinician Scientist Oath 

“I, [NAME], have entered the serious pursuit of new knowledge as a member of the community of dental-clinician scientists at the University of the Pacific. 

“I solemnly declare the following:  

Pride: I declare my pride in belonging to the international community of research scholars. 

Inclusion: I will incorporate diversity into preclinical and clinical studies, and foster  a culture of prioritizing and sustaining diversity at all levels of research and be inclusive of racial and ethnic minority groups, as well as other populations experiencing health disparities. 

Integrity: I promise never to allow financial gain, competitiveness, or ambition cloud my judgement in the conduct of ethical research and scholarship. 

Pursuit: I will pursue knowledge and create knowledge for the greater good, but never to the detriment of colleagues, supervisors, research subjects or the international community of scholars of which I am now a member. 

By pronouncing this Dental-Clinician Scientist Oath, I affirm my commitment to professional conduct and to abide by the principles of ethical conduct and research policies as set out by the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.”  

      — Inspired and modified from Karen D. Davis et al. SCIENCE 2008