Dr. Cherag D. Sarkari

Dr. Sarkari joined the team at LIBERTY Dental Plan of California in Spring of 2020 as the Dental Director responsible for the clinical oversight, policy and quality management. He brings a collective experience of 27 years in the dental industry, ranging from provider, academics, administration and C-suite leadership. Dr. Sarkari has a proven track record of stakeholder engagement and business development, leveraging his past experiences as both a provider and, in the benefits industry, lending a unique balanced viewpoint to his current role.

Prior to this position, he was the Chief Clinical Officer of a multi-state DSO with 65 locations in addition to heading the DSO affiliated Professional Corporation in California since 2014. This responsibility afforded him the clinical oversight of 175+ providers in all matters related to policy and the delivery of Oral Health Care, in addition to driving the agenda for the development of the providers. Dr. Sarkari also previously served as the Dental Director of a Knox-Keene standalone dental plan and has been intimately involved in a range of QM activities by participation on the QM Committee both within the organization and externally as a member of the California Association of Dental Plans (CADP) QMC.

Dr. Sarkari is an active member of the National Association of Dental Plans where he has volunteered his time on the Codes Committee (developing CDT procedure codes), Clinical Workgroup (development of clinical protocols) and the DSO Advisory Committee (which serves to establish representation for DSO's with different payer groups). He was recognized for his efforts by the Star Award from the NADP for his contributions to the SNOMED / ICD Sub Work Group.

His experience in the Medicaid and Commercial space of the dental benefit industry supports his current role in CA. Dr. Sarkari holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and earned a Master of Dental Surgery (M.D.S.) in Prosthodontics. In 2003 he was conferred a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) by the Dental Board of California upon successful completion of their requirements. In addition to the above was also conferred a Masters in Oral Laser Applications by the University of Vienna in 2015. As a practicing clinician since 1993 he served as a Provider and clinical supervisor as Managing and Senior Regional Dentist, at multiple locations. In addition, Dr. Sarkari also instructs at the University De LaSalle in Mexico as visiting faculty teaching Law and Ethics and the Dental Practice Act and previously served as Associate Professor of Prosthodontics.

As a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association and the Sacramento District Dental Society, Dr. Sarkari Chairs the Peer Review Committee, and serves on the Ethics Committee, and on the Oral Health task force.