Well, I thought I'd chime in here. I'm a licensed CA dentist who graduated from UOP. I don't hang out here often, but I thought I'd give my two cents. The bottom line is between UOP and UCLA, I'd choose UOP. Here's why. UCLA is a great school for the weather, the Westwood area, and the name of the school. And they are great for dental research. Government schools tend to get the bigger research grants. UOP is not all that much into research. UOP is into training people to be great clinicians. That being said, a good number of my classmates went on to prestigious post-grad programs.
Looking back at my dental school years, I'd say one of the great things about UOP was the spirit of comraderie of professors and the staff at the school. I'm talking about comraderie between the professors and staff WITH the students. These people really cared that you did well as a student as as a human being. The profs there will give you all the help you need, and they'll hang out and party with you after school too (well, some of the will). The dean, Arthur Dugoni, is one of the giants in the field of academic dentistry. He is a recognized leader and a past president of the ADA. The associate dean, Robert Christopherson, was a board member on the Calif Dental Board of Examiners. He played a significant and enthusiastic role in the success of UOP's students' high pass rate on the Calif boards. Leaders set the tone. If you are not sure about UOP, I'd suggest you call up and ask to speak to some of the faculty and students. I'm sure they'd be happy to talk to you.
As for patient shortages, unfortunately that is a fact of life for many schools. I've heard that some of the changes on the Calif State Board Exam are the result of this shortage. That's just a guess.
Finally, last year UOP got re-accredited as a teaching institution. I received a letter from the Dean which stated that in the course of these evaluations, most schools get recommendations as to changes that need to be made to bring the program up to par. Well, UOP significantly received NO recommendations. It did receive 13 COMMENDATIONS. That speaks volumes as to the quality of the school.
I have never regretted spending the money on tuition at UOP. You'll find out that when you graduate, some of the best continuing ed courses will be equally pricy. Do the research, visit the schools and the neighborhoods, look at the lab facilities where you'll be spending many many hours, look at the clinical facilities, and factor this in with what it is you want to get out of dental school. And then make a choice. Whatever you chose, will turn out ok for you in the long term. Good luck to all.
