New Dean Heads Dental School
On February 1, 2019, Peter M. Loomer, B.Sc., D.D.S., Ph.D., MRCD(C), FACD, assumed the role of dean of the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio.
Dean Loomer previously served as chair of the Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry and director of the Center for Global Oral Health Sciences at New York University College of Dentistry.
William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, president of UT Health, describes Dr. Loomer as “a distinguished educator, clinician and scientist whose leadership will guide the School of Dentistry to the brightest and most exciting times.”
Dr. Loomer said he was impressed by the school’s exceptional faculty, students and staff. “Its educational, research and patient care programs are second to none. By partnering with the entire School of
Dentistry team and the UT Health campus community, we can build upon these strengths and develop new initiatives to improve the health of San Antonio, South Texas and beyond.”
He is a graduate of the University of Toronto, the top-ranked university in Canada. There he earned a B.Sc. in nutritional sciences/food chemistry in 1984, a D.D.S. in 1988, a Diploma in Periodontics in 1993, and a Ph.D. in oral microbiology and bone biochemistry in 1997.
After earning his D.D.S. degree, he worked as a general practitioner in Toronto for five years.
Dr. Loomer has served in both public and private research-intensive universities known for clinical and research excellence, including the University of California San Francisco and New York University.
At the time of Dr. Loomer’s selection as dean, Dr. Henrich noted he has extensive experience in leadership and administrative roles, including clinic administration and in academic programs. “Dr. Loomer’s research program has been interprofessional and collaborative in nature, and he has built on a team approach to further scientific discovery and improve community oral health,” he added.
