A part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston). Enrollment doubled. A grant from the M.D. Anderson Blvd.
The University of Texas School of Dentistry, a part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston), educates dentists, dental hygienists, and dental specialists, including endodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, periodontists, and prosthodontists. The School of Dentistry also offers a general practice residency (GPR) and adv
anced education in general dentistry (AEGD), as well as a master of dental hygiene. Our school also has a continuing dental education program that offers numerous courses taught by world-renowned instructors as well as guest lecturers and clinicians. Programs offered:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS)
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree (BSDH)
- Master of Science is Dental Hygiene degree (MSDH)
- Graduate (master of science in dentistry degree and certificate in a specialty area of dentistry)
- Postgraduate (certificate in general dentistry or a specialty area and an optional master of science in dentistry degree)
- Residency (certificate)
Founded in 1905, The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston was the first dental school in Texas and continues to lead dental education today, with a vision of enriching the lives and health of our community and the world through patient care and research — our foundation in the pursuit of excellence in education. UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry began as the Texas Dental College, a private institution in rented quarters above a dry goods store on Congress Avenue. For decades, the school’s leadership lobbied to join The University of Texas System, but were unsuccessful until World War II caused an acute need for more dentists. The Texas Dental College formally closed on Aug. 31, 1943, and reopened on Sept. 1, 1943, as The University of Texas School of Dentistry. Anderson Foundation helped establish the school as a founding institution in the Texas Medical Center, and in 1952, the School of Dentistry’s dean, Dr. Fred Elliott, resigned to become the first executive director of the TMC. That same year, the school broke ground on a new building at 6516 M.D. It was completed in 1955. Upon moving into the new facility, also known as “The Pink Palace” because of the pinkish-brown marble exterior, the school assumed a new name, “The University of Texas Dental Branch.”
Nearly 60 years later, the school moved into its current location and in 2011 reverted to its original name, “The University of Texas School of Dentistry.”
Through it all, UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry has consistently provided high-quality education, patient care, service, and research, pursuing a vision of “Improving Oral Health… Improving Overall Health." The School of Dentistry’s three-part mission of education, patient care, and research aims to advance human health by providing high-quality education, patient care and research in oral health for Texas, the nation, and the world.
06/22/2026
World Cup fan marches may impact traffic near the Texas Medical Center on Tuesday, June 23, from 8-11 a.m. Please allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes when traveling to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry.
🚨Traffic Advisory: World Cup Fan Marches to Impact Tuesday Morning Commute🚨
Two planned World Cup fan marches will impact traffic south of the Texas Medical Center and east of Houston Stadium (NRG/Reliant) on June 23, 2026, from 8 a.m. -11 a.m.
The following streets will be heavily impacted as thousands of Portugal/Uzbekistan fans show their support ahead of Tuesday’s match at Houston Stadium.
-Fannin (Between Old Spanish Trail - Holly Hall)
-Greenbriar (Between OST - Fannin)
-Cambridge (Between OST - Holly Hall)
-Holly Hall (Between Cambridge - Fannin)
Commuters are advised to seek alternate routes Tuesday morning.
06/22/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us for UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Game Day on June 21. From faculty and staff to alumni, family, and friends, it was wonderful to see our community come together for an afternoon at the ballpark!
06/21/2026
It’s Game Day!
The sold-out UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Game Day has arrived, and Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, is ready to join our community for an afternoon of baseball, camaraderie, and school spirit.
06/18/2026
Nearly five decades in dental education, prosthodontics, and organized dentistry have shaped a career recognized with one of the field’s highest honors. UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry professor and alumnus H. Philip “Phil” Pierpont, DDS ’73, has received the 2026 George H. Moulton Award from the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics.
Read more at Go.uth.edu/MoultonAward.
06/11/2026
Simon Young, DDS, MD, PhD, professor and acting chair of the Bernard and Gloria Pepper Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, has been named the 2026 Graham Family Scholar. His $450,000 research award will support the development of a novel immunotherapy approach designed to help prevent oral cancer recurrence after surgery.
Read more at Go.uth.edu/YoungGFS.
06/04/2026
“To be translational means that you have to be looking at that circle and knowing that you belong. Everyone has a role.”
Alumna Rena N. D’Souza, DDS, MS, PhD, returned to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry to share insights from a career spanning scientific discovery, academic leadership, and national service. During her lecture, “Realizing the Promise of Science: Translate We Must!,” she encouraged faculty, students, and residents to work across disciplines to ensure research reaches patients and communities.
The 1985 graduate and inaugural recipient of the school’s Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award emphasized the importance of collaboration, communication, and translating scientific advances into meaningful improvements in health.
Read more at Go.uth.edu/DSouzaLecture.
06/03/2026
Cool for the summer. Polaroids and smiles.
06/01/2026
On June 1, 2011, John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, was appointed dean of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry after serving as interim dean for two years.
As he prepares to retire on Aug. 31, we recognize 17 years of leadership as dean and interim dean, and nearly four decades of service since joining the faculty in 1987.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the School of Dentistry, its people, and its mission.
05/28/2026
“Recognize, acknowledge, and embrace the opportunities that you’ve experienced in your lives — the good ones and not-so-good ones. Use those opportunities to be a better you.”
Alumnus Joel J. Vela, DDS ’93 ’97, returned to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry as keynote speaker for the 2026 Annual Celebration of Scholarship, where he encouraged students and residents to embrace every experience as an opportunity for growth, learning, and service.
The annual event recognized more than 120 students and residents who received scholarship support during the 2025-26 academic year and celebrated the donors whose generosity continues to shape the future of oral health care.
06/22/2026
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