The latest alumni news for you

Nov. 25, 2025

A Message from Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81

After 42 years in dental education — including 38 at his alma mater — Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, shares his plans to retire on Aug. 31, 2026, and reflects on his journey from student to dean at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry.

Give Vets a Smile honors 90 veterans with free dental care

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry provided more than $55,000 of free care to 90 local veterans during the 11th Annual Give Vets a Smile.

15th Annual Student Research Showcase highlights findings

Students presented findings to the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry community during the 15th Annual Student Research Showcase.

Dental Class of 2005 celebrates 20-year reunion

The UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Dental Class of 2005 celebrated its 20-year reunion with a casino-themed gathering in Austin. Classmates reconnected over shared memories, milestones, and two decades of personal and professional growth.

UT Dentists, School of Dentistry promote oral health at half marathon health fair

Volunteers from UT Dentists and UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry provided individuals with free oral and dental screenings along with oral hygiene education as part of the annual UTHealth Houston Half Marathon and 10K health fair.

Scenes from SmileCon

Thank you to our alumni, faculty, and friends who joined us in D.C. for the Alumni and Friends “Farewell to SmileCon” Reception! A memorable evening of laughter and celebration with our UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry family. See photos from the event.

Alumna Le appointed to CODA Review Committee on Oral Medicine Education

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry alumna Huong Le, DDS ’84, MA, has been appointed to the Commission on Dental Accreditation’s Review Committee on Oral Medicine Education.

Thankful Turkey

In the spirit of the holiday season, the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry community decorated a Thankful Turkey with feathers of gratitude, an initiative of the UTSD Many F.A.C.E.S. Program Oversight Group.

Trailblazers: A matching program to amplify your impact

Through the UTHealth Houston Trailblazers program, you can double the impact of your gift while demonstrating your commitment to improving health. For a limited time, the university will provide a one-to-one match with institutional funds to new, qualified pledges of $100,000 to $1 million made to enhance existing endowments or to establish new ones.

Join the UTHealth Houston Alumni Community

Registration is open for dental hygienists to begin pursuing certification to administer local infiltration anesthesia, under the supervision of a licensed dentist, according to the new TSBDE Rule 115.10.

The PACE Center’s certification program includes two separate continuing education (CE) course segments — prerequisite online video modules + quizzes and an in-person, hands-on training.

The online video modules and quizzes will meet the 20-hours of didactic CE credits required of the new rule adoption. The in-person training will meet the 12-hours of participation CE credits and will require separate registration. Certification applications must be submitted to Texas State Board of Dental Examiners with proof of obtaining the total 32-hours of CE credits.

Visit Go.uth.edu/DHLIA for detailed course information.