Results: 222 news stories
Summer Research Program cultivates future dental scientists
This summer marked the launch of the first School of Dentistry Summer Research Program for undergraduate students, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R25 Education Projects program. This grant supports the development of innovative research education initiatives that enhance the training of future scientists.
Celebrating excellence: Sara Gaiser receives two prestigious awards
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry is proud to announce that Sara Gaiser, a fourth-year DDS/PhD student in the School of Dentistry’s COSTAR program, has been selected for two prestigious awards. These awards recognize her academic and research achievements as well as her service to the community.
School of Dentistry appoints Lea El Hachem, DDS, MS, FICD, as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Lea El Hachem, DDS, MS, FICD, has stepped into a new role as assistant dean for student affairs at the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, effective July 1.
Welcome to the Profession White Coat Ceremonies celebrate future dental professionals
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry officially welcomed its newest students on July 19 with two Welcome to the Profession White Coat Ceremonies.
School of Dentistry celebrates renovated laboratories with ribbon-cutting ceremony
(From left): Shan Zhao Reeves, MBA, FACHE, vice dean for finance and administration; Brij B Singh, PhD, associate dean for research and interim director for the Center for Regenerative Sciences; Kenneth M. Hargreaves, DDS, PhD, dean of the School of Dentistry, and director of the Center for Pain Therapeutics and Addiction Research; Waseem Alezz, assistant director of facilities project management; Raymundo Rivera, executive director of engineering and construction management.
UT Health San Antonio participates in 2025 Spurs x Frost Back to School Bash
UT Health San Antonio participates in 2025 Spurs x Frost Back to School Bash
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery welcomes Ahmad Masri, DDS, MD
The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic at UT Dentistry welcomes Ahmad Masri, DDS, MD, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon known for delivering expert, compassionate care that puts patients first.
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.
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.