Doctor Dornan grew up in the city of Richmond in the San Francisco Bay Area where her family has lived since 1905. She is married to Richard Palfini and they have a daughter, Rachel, and a son, Robert. They also have their own personal zoo with 2 dogs and 3 cats. She loves cooking, reading, yoga, and going to the movies.
Within three years of graduating from Northwestern University Dental School, Dr. Dornan was enrolled in UCLAs TMJ Preceptor Program, a 6 month continuing education program that included treating patients in the UCLA TMJ Clinic. As a result of her passion and skills, Dr. Dornan was invited to join the faculty in supervising new students treating patients in the TMJ Clinic and participating in clinical research.
Dr. Dornan and her husband temporarily moved to Orange County in 1982 and she began practicing dentistry in Tustin in 1984. She loves her job, particularly getting to know her patients, meeting their family and friends, and watching kids grow over the years.
She believes in dentistry based on academia and evidence. Her rsum includes numerous continuing education courses, teaching engagements, annual presentations, and participation with major research projects. Her main fields of interest have been TMJ, Orofacial Pain, Temporomandibular Pain/Dysfunction, and their application to general dentistry. She currently teaches residents at the USC Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine Clinic and holds the position of Clinical Associate Professor.