Results: 361 news stories
UT Health San Antonio, UTSA scientists use AI to reimagine personalized dental care
Every dental patient is different and even small improvements in dental materials can have a big impact on their care. But selecting the best products to ensure long-term, reliable results can involve time-intensive trial and error. A collaboration between The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) and The […]
Elva Villa Jordan, DDS, named director of Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program
The School of Dentistry is proud to share that Elva Villa Jordan, DDS, associate professor/clinical in the department of developmental dentistry, has officially stepped into her role as program director of the Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program, effective June 1, 2025.
School of Dentistry names Hai Zhang, DMD, PhD, FACP, as a new department chair and program director
The School of Dentistry is thrilled to share the appointment of Hai Zhang, DMD, PhD, FACP, as chair of the department of comprehensive dentistry and program director of the prosthodontics residency program, effective October 1, 2025.
Maria Jose Cervantes Mendez, DDS, MS, appointed a departmental chair at the School of Dentistry
The dean of the School of Dentistry, Ken Hargreaves, DDS, PhD, announced this June that, effective September 1, 2025, Maria Jose Cervantes Mendez, DDS, MS, will assume the role of chair of the department of developmental dentistry
Noor Kaur, BDS, MPH, appointed vice president of the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities Board
The School of Dentistry is pleased to share that Noor Kaur, BDS, MPH, assistant clinical professor in the department of comprehensive dentistry at the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, has been appointed vice president of the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities (ADPD) Executive Board,
Oral health education in Kenya builds healthier futures for children
In the hills of West Pokot County, Kenya, a young oral health advocate is changing lives—one oral health kit at a time. Christine Semekal, a recent graduate of Mount Kenya University with a Bachelor of Science in Oral Health, is the founder and CEO of Oral Health Mashinani, a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting preventive oral health education and care in underserved communities, particularly children in rural areas in Kenya.
Digital dentistry advancements and integration at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
The School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio is leading the way in dental education with its robust integration of digital dentistry into the predoctoral curriculum, providing students with hands-on training in cutting-edge technologies that are redefining modern dental care.
2025 School of Dentistry Senior Awards Ceremony
On Friday, May 16, 2025, the School of Dentistry held its annual Senior Awards Ceremony for Doctor of Dental Surgery graduates.
The emcee of the ceremony, Stefanie Seitz, DDS, MEd, associate dean for academic, faculty and student affairs, welcomed the families and friends who filled the event room at the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham located in the Medical Center.
2025 Predoctoral Convocation Awards
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry hosted its annual Predoctoral Convocation Awards Ceremony at the beginning of April, celebrating the achievements of predoctoral dental students who demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, service and academic excellence throughout the academic year.
The 52nd Annual Convocation of Omicron Kappa Upsilon Mu Nu Chapter
On May 15, 2025, the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Mu Nu Chapter hosted its 52nd Annual Convocation at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse, celebrating the achievements of dental students and faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) School of Dentistry.
School of Dentistry 2025 graduate highlights
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, 1,100 graduates from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio participated in the combined spring and summer commencement ceremony at the Alamodome.
The School of Dentistry awarded degrees or certificates to 177 graduates, including 108 Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees and 23 Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degrees.
Celebrating excellence: UT Health San Antonio Dental Hygiene Senior Awards and Pinning Ceremony 2025
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry’s Dental Hygiene Class of 2025 gathered with faculty, friends and family on May 16 to celebrate their hard work and academic achievement during the annual Senior Awards Dinner and Pinning Ceremony.
Crowned by perseverance
Pushing past initial setbacks and refusing to listen to the naysayers, Victoria “Tori” Garza is proud to graduate this May with her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree through the School of Dentistry’s Teaching Honors Program.
UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry promotes lifesaving with Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Nina Murray admits she was “one of those people” who rarely went to the dentist. But going, when she did, might have saved her life. Last September, she detected what she first thought was an ulcer inside her right cheek, but it quickly turned into a hard lump and started hurting. “Something’s not right,” she […]
Dental resident wins Byrd-Tillerson-Walker award at Southwest Society of OMS annual meeting
The Southwest Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (SWSOMS) Combined Annual Meeting held April 3–5, in collaboration with the Osteo Science Foundation, brought together leading voices in the field for a weekend of education, research and professional connection.
Among the many highlights of the event was the Byrd-Tillerson-Walker Residents’ Day Presentations, during which residents from the Southwest region’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training programs present abstracts of interesting cases, research projects and papers.
School of Dentistry welcomes Tarang Kheradia, MBBS, MPH, to lead clinical information systems
The School of Dentistry is proud to announce the appointment of Tarang Kheradia, MBBS, MPH, as the new director of clinical information systems, effective April 21. In this role, Kheradia will lead the integration and optimization of the Epic system across the school’s clinical environment, enhancing how providers deliver and manage patient care.
Celebrating service milestones at the School of Dentistry
UT Health San Antonio employees celebrating milestone anniversaries — ranging from five to 50 years of service within the UT System — were honored on April 17 during the annual Service Anniversary Celebration. Among them, 60 dedicated members of the School of Dentistry were recognized for reaching these significant career achievements:
5-year Milestone
Anibal Diogenes, DDS, PhD, honored with dual awards for excellence in endodontics
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry is proud to share that Anibal R.
School of Dentistry celebrates Hamsi Nathan, 2025 Presidential Ambassador Scholar
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry is proud to recognize third-year dental student Hamsi Nathan as the 2025 Presidential Ambassador Scholar representing the school. Nathan was officially recognized by Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system, during an awards ceremony held April 15 in the Academic and Administration Building.
Magnesium channel key to immune cell shift offers new hope for oral cancer prevention, treatment
The ability of macrophages, a type of white blood cell, to transition into one of two forms, is critical for immune system functionality. These cells can morph into fighter cells (M1) that cause inflammation and attack invading pathogens, or nurse cells (M2) that soothe the inflammation and promote tissue repair after the battle. While researchers […]