Bridging health care

Cutting the ribbon: Carlos Rosende, M.D., executive director of UT Medicine; Long School of Medicine Dean Francisco González-Scarano, M.D.; President William L. Henrich, M.D., FACP; and School of Dentistry Dean William Dodge, D.D.S., celebrate the functional and symbolic joining of the Health Science Center’s two clinical homes, the Medical Arts & Research Center and the new Center for Oral Health Care & Research.

Both functional and symbolic, a bridge was constructed between two Health Science Center clinical homes—the Medical Arts & Research Center and the new Center for Oral Health Care & Research. A ceremonial ribbon cutting merged the two practices in October.

The bridge will facilitate referrals, enhance educational experiences and promote dental research as a component of good overall health, officials said.

“This walkway is a reminder that oral health is an important part of overall health,” said Health Science Center President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP. “As is occurring now, the connection of the two buildings will further interdisciplinary work among our medical and dental students, clinicians and researchers.”

The Center for Oral Health Care & Research opened in September and is a clinical training site for dental and dental hygiene students. It is also home to clinical trials and features laboratories where faculty and trainees conduct research on oral health care.

“This is, of course, a symbolic as well as a real connection,” Dr. Henrich said. “We recognize oral health more and more is the key to good general health. And now our practices are joined in these two magnificent buildings.”