Meet Dr. Otomo-Corgel

MEET THE DOCTOR

JOAN OTOMO-CORGEL, DDS, MPH, FACD, FICD, APDC

Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel is a graduate of California State University, Fresno (BA-Zoology), UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS), UCLA School of Public Health (MPH Behavioral Sciences and Health Education), West Los Angeles VAMC General Practice and Postdoctoral Periodontics Residencies. She is currently a Clinical Full Professor, UCLA School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontics, faculty at the Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care Center Dental Service, and Chair of Postdoc Research. Dr. Otomo-Corgel has been inducted into the Fellowship of the American College of Dentists, as well as the Fellowship of the International College of Dentists.

She has been in private practice limited to periodontics and implantology in Los Angeles, California for over 4 decades. Dr. Otomo-Corgel is especially proud of her exceptional team who help her provide individualized, compassionate care at the highest level.

Dr. Otomo-Corgel is the past president of the American Academy of Periodontology, California Society of Periodontists, Western Society of Periodontology, National VA Periodontists, the Los Angeles Dental Society, and the UCLA Chapter of OKU. She is currently the Chair of UCLA School of Dentistry Board of Counselors, serves on the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure, the AAP CEOC, President of the Board of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation, and on the CDA Board of Directors. She is a conscious sedation examiner for CALAOMS and is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. She lectures extensively on periodontal medicine, medical emergencies, over-the-counter dental products, and clinical periodontal topics. She has contributed to over 60+ journals and texts and is considered an expert on the systemic-periodontal links.

Dr. Otomo-Corgel was a Governor’s appointee as a trustee for CSU System and the School-to-Career Advisory Council. She was a Trustee of Mount St. Mary’s College and is currently on the Board of Governors for the Fresno State University Foundation and a Director for the Advisory Council for the School of Math and Science.

Dr. Otomo-Corgel was the 1997 UCLA School of Dentistry Alumnus of the Year, 1998 OKU Robert Wolcott Recipient (selected by the faculty for distinguished service), 1998 Fellow of the American College of Dentists, 1999 Japanese American Dental Society Honoree of the Year, Fresno State University 2007 Top Dog Alumnus of the Year for the School of Math and Science and 2007 AAP Specialty Citation recipient, Merrill Davis award for extraordinary service to the LA Dental Sociaty, and 2016 California Society of Periodontists Educator of the Year.

She and her husband, Rich Corgel have two children. Her oldest is John (Bucky), a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate who served our country in the US Navy and is with the LAFD. He is married to Jennifer and have a daughter, Elle. Her daughter Stefanie, a graduate of Cal State Monterey Bay (women’s basketball team), who played professional women’s basketball in Italy. Stefanie is currently a professional sports and fitness model. Dr. Otomo- Corgel’s husband, Rich, was a partner at a public accounting firm and now specializes in Fraud and Investigation Services.