Melissa Tuft

Melissa Tuft is a dental professional with extensive experience in dental education and community service. As the Group Practice Leader at the University of California, San Francisco since October 2008, Melissa manages a pre-doctoral clinic and oversees student and faculty performance. In the role of Faculty Director at the largest student-run free dental clinic in the nation, Melissa focuses on serving underserved populations including the homeless and refugees. Additionally, Melissa has taught dental students in a clinical setting, emphasizing care for patients from homeless shelters. Prior to these roles, Melissa owned a dental practice from September 1983 to December 2019, fostering a supportive environment for both patients and dental professionals. Melissa holds a DDS from the University of California, San Francisco and a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz.