By Susan Peterson

Gazette Staff

A "doctor's doctor" and an "extraordinary clinician and person" are a couple of the phrases used to describe periodontist Robert Fasciano, who headed the Harvard Dental Center for 22 years.

Fasciano was so committed to his patients and to health care that he spearheaded the initiative for a new HUGHP (Harvard University Group Health Program) Dental Plan and a formal affiliation between the center and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He also envisioned a time when the Dental Center would be renovated and expanded.

But, says his wife, Meade, "He had no idea it would be so grand."

Fasciano died in January 1995, after a battle with cancer. When his colleagues approached him before his death inquiring about his wishes for a memorial, he and his wife thought of a fund that would help support the renovation and expansion of Dental Health Services. He did not realize the entire center would be named in his honor.

The Dr. Robert W. Fasciano Dental Center was dedicated at a reception Oct. 23, when a host of colleagues, friends, and patients attended and toured the new facility. Funding for the renovation is supported in part by the memorial fund established in Fasciano's name.

The new center is double the size of the old one, has expanded the number of practitioners, and continues to serve a large number of Harvard faculty, staff, and students.

"One of Bob's greatest aims was to expand dental care for Harvard patients, in part through his work on the new HUGHP dental plan," said Richard Valachovic, D.M.D., current chief of the dental service. "He was also a tireless proponent for expanding the scope of care we provide for Harvard students and making opportunities for them to obtain care more readily available."

To meet those needs, Fasciano initiated the Student Dental Plan, offered to students at a low premium for the purpose of basic preventative and restorative care. The idea is a success, with the number of students involved in the plan more than doubling in the last year.

"University Health Services has the responsibility to meet the health needs of the Harvard Community," said Provost Albert Carnesale, "and I'm glad to see this has been meaningfully extended to providing dental services complementing the outstanding medical service the University already provides."

At the dedication, Fasciano's portrait was unveiled. It was painted by his son-in-law, Alexander Gianis.

"He always strove to have the best professional personnel, and it's nice that they now have a wonderful facility to work in," said Meade Fasciano. "You've all contributed to making the end of a career very special."