Meet Dr. John Chao
DDS, MAGD · Inventor of Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation® · Alhambra, CA
Inventor · Educator · Clinician
Inventor of Pinhole® Gum Rejuvenation
John Chao, DDS, MAGD, is the inventor of the Pinhole® Surgical Technique and a distinguished clinician specializing in periodontics and restorative dentistry. A graduate of the Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC, he served as faculty at USC for 20 years (2000–2020) in the Behavior Science Department, teaching techniques to keep procedures painless and addressing dental phobia and tobacco sensitivity.
He has also been a Research Assistant Professor in the Post-Graduate Periodontics Program at the University at Buffalo, SUNY. A Fellow of multiple prestigious dental organizations, including the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Dr. Chao has published extensively on the Pinhole® Surgical Technique.
In private practice in Alhambra, CA, he continues to advance innovative, patient-centered solutions for gum recession and periodontal health.
Credentials at a Glance
- DDS — USC School of Dentistry
- MAGD — Master, Academy of General Dentistry
- Inventor, Pinhole Surgical Technique®
- Patent Holder, Surgical Instruments
- Research Assistant Professor, SUNY Buffalo
- Former Faculty, USC School of Dentistry (2000–2020)
- Teacher of the Year 2012, USC Ostrow
- Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists
Academics
- Research Associate Professor, Post Graduate Program in Periodontics, SUNY – Buffalo
- Former Adjunct Assistant Professor, Behavior of Science, Ostrow School of Dentistry USC
- Former Faculty, USC School of Dentistry
- Instructor, Behavior Science
- Lecturer, Ethics
- Graduate, USC School of Dentistry
- Inventor, Pinhole® Surgical Technique
- Patent Holder, Surgical Instruments
- CE Provider: Professional Responsibility, Infection Control & TMJ
- Teacher of the Year 2012, Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
Special Qualifications
- Master, Academy of General Dentistry
- Fellow, International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopaedics
- Fellow, International Academy of Mini Dental Implants
- Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists
- Fellow, Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry
- Member, American Dental Association
- Member, California Dental Association
- Associate Member, American Academy of Periodontology
- Member, American Association of Endodontists
- Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry
- Member, American Academy of Ozonetherapy
- Member, Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry
- Member, Special Care Dentistry Association
Honors & Community
Honors & Recognition
- Former Outstanding Faculty, Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, 2012
- Doctor of Divinity, Chinese for Christ Theological Seminary
- ADA, CDA Lifetime Membership Award
- USC Friends of Dentistry
Community Service
- Host: SMILETALK, KRLA, KFWB
- TV Talk Show Host: Charter
- Columnist, Around Alhambra
- Columnist, Cascades
- Columnist, Spotlight on Montebello
- Operation Gratitude
Lectures & Presentations
Experience World-Class Dental Care
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Chao and benefit from his decades of expertise in both general dentistry and the revolutionary Pinhole Technique.