Resolution by the Senate and the House of Representatives
of the State of Texas by Senator Kyle Janek, Representative
Martha Wong, Representative Beverly Woolley and Representative
Peggy Hamric
WHEREAS, The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston,
a longtime leader in dental health education and research
and in the provision of dental services to the residents
of Southeast Texas, is celebrating its 100th anniversary
in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Founded as Texas Dental College, the first dental
school established in Texas, by a group of dentists, physicians,
and businessmen on February 11, 1905, the school remained
a proprietary institution until 1943, when it became The
University of Texas School of Dentistry; renamed The University
of Texas Dental Branch in 1958, it became a part of The
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in
1972; and
WHEREAS, Providing the full spectrum of dental education,
the Dental Branch offers a doctor of dental surgery program,
two graduate primary care programs, six graduate specialty
programs, and a dental hygiene program; students enrolled
in graduate dental programs may also enroll jointly in an
M.S. or Ph.D. program offered by The University of Texas
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; in addition, the
Dental Branch offers three combined-degree programs: doctor
of dental surgery/doctor of philosophy, doctor of dental
surgery/master of public health, and doctor of medicine/oral
and maxillofacial surgery; and
WHEREAS, Over the entire course of its history, the school
has trained approximately 5,600 dentists, and, since 1943,
a total of nearly 9,000 dental professionals; in 2004, the
Dental Branch also provided continuing education to almost
3,000 practicing dentists; and
WHEREAS, Individuals affiliated with the Dental Branch
continue to undertake important new research, and in fiscal
year 2004, they secured almost $2.8 million in research
grants; the Dental Branch also boasts the largest comprehensive
research training grant ever received by a component of
the health science center from the National Institutes of
Health; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Dental Branch operates an in-house
clinic, as well as offering treatment at outreach facilities
and associated hospitals; in 2004, the Dental Branch recorded
more than 90,000 patient visits and provided, at no charge
or at a discounted rate, dental care valued at some $1.2
million; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas Dental Branch, located
in the world-renowned Texas Medical Center, contributes
immeasurably to the health of Texas citizens and to the
advancement of dental science, and commits itself to changing
the landscape of oral health in the years to come through
excellence in education, discovery and community service,
it is indeed a pleasure to join in celebrating this momentous
milestone in the school’s distinguished history; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Texas Senate and House of Representatives
of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby honor The University
of Texas Dental Branch at Houston on the occasion of its
100th anniversary and extend to all those associated with
the school sincere best wishes for continued success.
