Breaking records and building futures
Welcome to another captivating edition of Salute magazine, which celebrates the remarkable strides our school is making in its mission to improve oral health through excellence in education, research, patient care and community engagement. You’ll be immersed in the transformative achievements and forward-looking progress that shapes the future of oral health here at home and around the world.
For example, our School of Dentistry was ranked No. 1 in Texas and 7th nationally by the Blue Ridge Institute for Biomedical Research, breaking our National Institutes of Health funding record. Our investigators’ energetic determination propelled our research enterprise to new heights, securing an unprecedented $11 million in federal funding fueling groundbreaking experimentation and discovery.
Another impressive achievement: boosting essential dental care and new job opportunities in South Texas after launching Laredo’s first Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree program at the UT Education and Research Center at Laredo.
The Phil and Karen Hunke Special Care Clinic at UT Dentistry is almost complete. This clinic will enable our dental practice to be the most comprehensive in the region providing essential training to students across several disciplines.
The school is also planning for a second building adjacent to the Center for Oral Health Care and Research to expand our clinical space and provide much-needed common areas for students and faculty.
Construction of new laboratory spaces for the departments of comprehensive dentistry and periodontics is underway on the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Campus, and we are refreshing departmental administration spaces to ensure we have modern facilities.
Together, let’s celebrate the convergence of innovation, education and leadership that defines the trajectory of dentistry. Let this issue inspire you as a testament to the power of progress and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
Warmest Regards,
Peter M. Loomer, BSc, DDS, PhD, MBA, MRCD(C), FACD
Dean and Professor, School of Dentistry
