School of Dentistry celebrates newly renovated clinical and simulation laboratories with ribbon-cutting ceremony

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the UT San Antonio School of Dentistry held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a comprehensive renovation of its simulation laboratories and clinical labs. The event brought together university and school leadership, faculty, staff and students to mark a significant milestone in the school’s ongoing commitment to advancing dental education, research and patient care.

Dean Kenneth M. Hargreaves, DDS, PhD, opened the ceremony with remarks recognizing the collective effort behind the project and the institution’s long-term vision for the laboratories.

“This is not simply an investment in equipment,” Hargreaves said. “It is an investment in our students and in the future of dentistry. We are maintaining the fundamentals of the profession while adding the technology our graduates need to excel. Whether they enter a community clinic, a group practice or private practice, they will be well-equipped to deliver comprehensive care from day one.”

The renovation represents part of an investment that transforms both the simulation laboratories at the School of Dentistry and clinical laboratory spaces at the Center for Oral Health Care and Research. The upgraded facilities now feature advanced digital printing systems, intraoral scanners, updated simulation manikins and the infrastructure to support a fully integrated digital workflow across all four years of the dental curriculum. For some vendors involved, the installation was among the largest in which they had participated.

Following Dean Hargreaves’ welcome, remarks were offered by Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system. Cigarroa spoke to the significance of the investment for students, the profession and the broader community. He thanked school leadership and faculty for their dedication to the school's progress and expressed enthusiasm for the years ahead and the advances in patient care they will bring.

After the ribbon was cut, faculty led brief demonstrations highlighting three areas of the renovated laboratories. Raul J. Bonilla, DDS, assistant professor/clinical and course director of dental anatomy, presented the laboratory’s articulator systems and their role in dental training. Carlos David Escobar Palma, DDS, director of digital dentistry and assistant professor/clinical, walked attendees through the school’s digital dentistry workflow, from intraoral scanning and design to the creation of digital diagnostic models and restorations. Richard Zimmermann, DDS, clinical associate professor and a recognized national expert in digital dentistry, demonstrated the school's 3D printing capabilities, which significantly reduce fabrication time and expand what students and faculty can produce.

The renovations also address a practical need. The previous simulation manikins are no longer in production, and replacement parts are no longer available. The updated units provide a more realistic and technologically advanced environment for preclinical training, supporting a more seamless transition from simulation into direct patient care.

“Our goal is for every student to become completely competent and confident using these technologies,” said Escobar. “When students graduate, we want them to feel ready to step into any practice and immediately contribute.”

Stefanie Seitz, DDS, professor and associate dean for academic faculty and student affairs, along with the school’s class presidents presented a token of appreciation to Cigarroa, recognizing the investment made in their education. Scott G. Stafford, DDS, MBA, associate dean for corporate and alumni affairs, gave an overview of the technology and renovations, connecting the laboratories’ transformation to not only the value for our students but also the quality of care delivered to patients across San Antonio and South Texas.

Dean Hargreaves closed the ceremony by looking ahead. “Today we are celebrating the steps we have taken in our journey to excellence and only through the support of everyone here are we able to achieve this,” he said.

The project was approximately 12 months in the making, six months of research and planning followed by six months of implementation, with a portion of the technology set for phased introduction over multiple years as the school transitions fully to digital workflows at every level of the curriculum.

For more information about digital dentistry and the UT San Antonio School of Dentistry, visit uthscsa.edu/dental.