As part of the American Medical Student Association’s
Achieving Diversity in Dentistry and Medicine Leadership Training Program,
Jocelyn Elders, M.D., former Surgeon General of the United States, delivered
the keynote address.
Nationally renowned clinical researcher John
O. Burgess, D.D.S. M.S., Louisiana State University School of Dentistry,
gave a Restorative Dentistry Update Friday, July 15.
In honor of its 100-year anniversary, the Dental
Branch at Houston was recognized by the Texas Legislature with the passing
of two independent resolutions.
Judith Buchanan, D.M.D.,
Ph.D., from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, presents
“Preparing Dental Providers for the 21st Century: Focus on Improving
Learning,” during the Centennial Speakers Series.
In 1971 the Dental Branch formed a department of Community Dentistry, chaired by Dr. Louis D’Orio. This new department provided dental care for the indigent, underserved, migrant workers and physically-challenged. Over the years the department of Community Dentistry has contributed to the community in several ways, including its work with the Houston Independent School District, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Goodwill Industries clinic, the Memorial Hospital Family Practice clinic, the Laredo-Webb County Clinic and the San Jose Clinic.
Dr. Don Allen, dean from 1982 to 1993, established a dental student rotation at the Brownsville Community Health Center during his tenure.
In 1988 a General Practice Residency program was established in cooperation with Hermann Hospital, with Dr. John A. Valenza (now Executive Associate Dean) as its director. The General Practice Residency remains a proud achievement and active participant in the care of a diverse patient population.
From 1981 to 1985, the geriatric teaching and research program of the Dental Branch was supported with nearly one-half million dollars from a National Institute on Aging grant. The Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials remains committed to continued and increased service to geriatric and medically-challenged patients.
The Dental Branch is currently recruiting directors for the Medically-Complex Patient Clinic, the General Practice Residency program and other individuals who will bring new and exciting expertise, including the potential to implement a salivary diagnostics research program. Salivary diagnostics have a diverse potential for application, including diagnosis of cancer.
Although the department of Community Dentistry is no longer a separate entity in the Dental Branch, its spirit and energy live on in the Medically-Complex Patient Clinic, the Mobile Dental Van, the annual Heart Walk, and the wonderful Centennial Smiles event sponsored jointly by the Dental Branch and the Greater Houston Dental Society, our partners in the Houston dental health community.
Source of historical elements: Dr. E. W. “Danny” D’Anton’s Memories: A History of the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. (copyright 1991, UTDB)
