Appointment of Dr. Shakalpi Pendurkar as State Director of Dental ServicesAppointment of Dr. Shakalpi Pendurkar as State Director of Dental Services Dr. Shakalpi Pendurkar has been appointed as the new State Director of Dental Services in California, a position that will see her play a crucial role in enhancing the oral health of Californians. Background and Expertise Dr. Pendurkar brings a wealth of experience to this critical role. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Emory University and a Certificate in Dental Education from the University of the Pacific. Her previous experience includes working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and serving as the Chief Supervising Dentist at Gardner Health Services since 2003. Leadership in Oral Health Initiatives As the Director of Dental Services, Dr. Pendurkar will lead the Office of Oral Health in developing and implementing state oral health initiatives. Her work will involve collaboration with various state agencies and organizational partners, including the California Dental Association (CDA). Focus on Prevention and Health Equity Dr. Pendurkar’s focus will be on prevention, education, and community outreach efforts aimed at addressing oral disease and promoting health equity. She has a strong track record of supporting community water fluoridation, school oral health programs, and medical-dental integration. Collaboration with CDA CDA congratulates Dr. Pendurkar on her appointment and looks forward to continuing its partnership with her. The Association believes that her experience and commitment will be instrumental in advancing oral health in California. Proven Leadership in the Dental Community Dr. Pendurkar is a CDA member who has held several leadership roles, including as a member of the CDA Board of Component Representatives and President of the Santa Clara County Dental Society. Her insights and experience will be invaluable in shaping the future of dental care in the state.
Dr. Shakalpi Pendurkar appointed director of California Dental Association
BRIEF SUMMARY: Shakalpi Pendurkar, DDS, MPH, is California’s new State Director of Dental Services, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 16. The Director of Dental Services will lead the Office of Oral Health in developing and implementing the state’s oral health initiatives by working with various state agencies and organizational partners, such as CDA. Dr. Pendurkar brings a wealth of experience to this role, which is critical to the oral health of Californians and the state’s public health infrastructure.
CDA congratulates Dr. Shakalpi Pendurkar on her appointment as State Director of Dentistry at the California Department of Public Health. Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, she brings a wealth of experience to this role, which is critical to the oral health of Californians and the state’s public health infrastructure. She succeeds Dr. Jayanth Kumar, who retired earlier this year.
The Dental Director leads the Office of Oral Health in developing and implementing the state’s oral health initiatives by working with various state agencies and organizational partners, such as CDA. The Dental Director also leads efforts in prevention, education, and community outreach to address oral disease and health equity.
After graduating from Emory University with a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in international health epidemiology, Pendurkar worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She then brought her dental and public health expertise to California, where she has served as the chief supervising dentist at Gardner Health Services since 2003. Pendurkar also holds a certificate in dental education from the University of the Pacific and the Academy for Academic Leadership.
Her work in local oral health programs with the Health Plan of San Mateo and San Mateo County Public Health Department has helped increase access to dental care, including through the development of a framework for oral health surveillance systems to monitor and prevent oral disease. As part of the Santa Clara County Coalition Against Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Pendurkar advocated for limiting sugary beverages in children’s meals.
Pendurkar is a public health leader with a track record of supporting priorities and programs that advance community water fluoridation, school oral health, and medical-dental integration. She is also a CDA member who has served in several CDA leadership roles, including most recently as a member of the CDA Board of Component Representatives representing the Santa Clara County Dental Society, where she also served as component president in 2022.
CDA looks forward to continuing to work with Dr. Pendurkar as she takes on this important new role.
