Rinku Saini
Dr. Rinku S. Saini serves as Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the 黑料不打烊, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. A clinician, educator, and public health advocate, Dr. Saini brings over 15 years of private practice experience and an academic background spanning Columbia University, the University of California San Francisco and the Dugoni School of Dentistry. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing pediatric oral health through education, clinical excellence, and health equity.
Dr. Saini earned a dual degree from Columbia University, completing both his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) at the College of Dental Medicine and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Health Policy and Management at the Mailman School of Public Health. He also holds a Master of Science (M.S.) in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Certificate in Public Health from the University of Hawai鈥檌 at M膩noa, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine.
Following a General Practice Residency at the UCLA Sepulveda VA, Dr. Saini completed a Pediatric Dentistry Residency at Children鈥檚 National Medical Center (CNMC) in Washington, DC. There, he completed LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) training, which continues to reinforce his commitment to neurodiversity-informed care.
At the Dugoni School, Dr. Saini is leading the strategic transformation of the Pediatric Dentistry Department into a national model for inclusive, multidisciplinary care, particularly for the most vulnerable children. His vision centers on integrating core LEND principles into both the didactic and clinical curriculum, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, family-centered care, and systems-level advocacy. Through a unique partnership with the UC Davis MIND Institute, he is advancing faculty development, enriching student education and expanding access to care for children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as those with complex medical histories.
Dr. Saini鈥檚 academic and teaching interests focus on providing safe and dignified care for children with special health care needs.
Dr. Saini is a current fellow of both the International College of Dentists (ICD) and the American College of Dentists (ACD). He remains actively engaged in organized dentistry through his involvement with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD), Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA), American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD).
In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Saini maintains an active private practice at Drs. Schmitt & Saini, Pediatric Dentistry in Danville, California. He lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pelin, their son, Ari, and their dog, Rex.
