{"id":231880,"date":"2026-04-02T14:20:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/231880\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T14:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:20:09","slug":"uthealth-houstons-school-of-dentistry-and-the-making-of-texas-dentists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/231880\/","title":{"rendered":"UTHealth Houston\u2019s School of Dentistry and the Making of Texas Dentists"},"content":{"rendered":"

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UTHealth Houston’s School of Dentistry is where many Texas dentists cut their teeth.<\/p>\n

Just inside UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry\u2019s doors, visitors encounter a small but meaningful historical display: a detailed timeline and video illustrating
milestones in dental history, and a mural professing its mission \u201cto be a leader in dental education.\u201d It\u2019s a quiet reminder that Houston\u2019s dental future has long been rooted in its past. The school has shaped\u00a0oral health care<\/a> in Texas for more than a century.<\/p>\n

Founded in 1905 as the Texas Dental College, it was the state\u2019s first dental school, laying the foundation for generations of dentists, hygienists, researchers, and specialists. But the institution is more than a school. It\u2019s also a hospital and research center all in one, says Dr. John A. Valenza, a 1981 graduate and now the dean of UTHealth School of Dentistry.<\/p>\n

Over its 120-year history, UTHealth\u2019s Houston dental school has evolved alongside the city it calls home. It officially became part of the University of Texas system in 1943. It later adopted the name University of Texas Dental Branch in the mid-1950s\u2014an intentional parallel to the UT Medical Branch in Galveston. In 2011, it returned to being called the School of Dentistry, Valenza says. The school relocated several times before settling in its current Astrodome-area home in 2012. Throughout these moves, it has educated generations of dental professionals, including the state\u2019s first Black dental student and, likely, the first female dentist, Valenza adds.<\/p>\n

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UTHealth is known for graduating generations of dentists and serving smiles for over a century.<\/p>\n

The profession has changed dramatically since then, and UTHealth Houston\u2019s School of Dentistry has been at the forefront of this evolution. Roughly two decades ago, the school became one of the first dental institutions in the country to adopt electronic health records. Digital X-rays soon followed, and today, the school is a leader in what Valenza calls \u201cdigital dentistry.\u201d \u201cIf you\u2019ve ever had a crown done years ago, you might remember having a bunch of goo put in your mouth,\u201d he says. Today, crowns can be digitally scanned, designed, and fabricated in the same building, often on the same day.<\/p>\n

That commitment to innovation extends into research. In recent years, the school has ranked among the top dental schools in the US for research and, in 2024, received significant grant funding, including $9 million from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research through the National Institutes of Health.<\/p>\n

Still, the school serves as more than a space for education and advancement\u2014it is also one of Houston\u2019s busiest dental care centers. Inside the building, 315 dental chairs serve hundreds of patients daily, with the broader mission distilled into its six-word vision statement: \u201cimproving oral health, improving overall health.\u201d That holistic\u00a0philosophy is reflected in newer initiatives, including a clinical center for health promotion that integrates tobacco cessation, weight management, diabetes education, and on-site medical consultations.<\/p>\n

Community care is another cornerstone. The school provides dentists and hygienists for Harris Health\u2019s clinics across the county and partners with federally qualified health centers and the City of Houston. Its annual Give a Smile Days offer free care for children, veterans, and senior citizens. \u201cGoing one day a year\u2026is not the way to take care of your mouth,\u201d Valenza says, but if these events raise awareness about oral health\u2019s connection to overall well-being, \u201cwe\u2019re thrilled.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dr. John A. Valenza is a 1981 grad.<\/p>\n

Everyday Dental Advice from the Dean of UTHealth<\/p>\n

Schedule prevention early and often. Preventive dentistry can save patients significant pain and expense over time. \u201cThere was an auto repair commercial, and it said, \u2018Pay me now or pay me later,\u2019\u201d Valenza says. \u201cThe point was, bring your automobile in for regular preventive care, oil changes, all of that, or it\u2019s going to cost you a lot more later with big-time repairs. That\u2019s true of dentistry, too.\u201d Annual exams and cleanings allow patients to ask questions and address minor issues before they become major ones.<\/p>\n

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss regularly. Many people assume that hard bristles clean better, but Valenza advises against them, noting they can damage gums and enamel. By contrast, nearly any floss works well, though Valenza prefers wider, flat, tape-like floss to more traditional string floss.<\/p>\n

Be cautious with dental trends. There\u2019s a lot of debate about toothpaste\u2014fluoride versus nonfluoride, and whether it\u2019s healthy to use pastes infused with charcoal or baking soda. Valenza advises people to do their research, using their dentist and the American Dental Association as a starting point. \u201cSome claims are true, and some are not,\u201d he says. \u201cWe just have to be careful and make sure we are thoroughly educated on the products and the known risks or benefits from them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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