Research within the department spans clinical, translational, public health, and educational domains, supported by UTHealth Houston’s robust research infrastructure and Texas Medical Center collaborations. Faculty lead funded projects, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute patents, abstracts, and professional presentations. Faculty are actively engaged in:
Aerospace Dentistry
Faculty at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry are addressing the challenges of providing oral health care during space missions. In collaboration with The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, they use ontology-based informatics tools to create machine-readable, standardized workflows for likely dental emergencies — such as extractions, trauma, infections, and restoration failures — supporting safe, efficient care in resource-limited environments. Ongoing partnerships with UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School’s Space Medicine Program also support astronaut training and drive innovations that may translate to broader health care contexts.
Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain Conditions
Public health projects have explored oral health in intensive care unit patients, electronic health record integration, and emerging diagnostic technologies, resulting in publications in peer-reviewed journals. Clinical investigations focus on head and neck conditions, particularly temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain, with studies examining bruxism, surfactant proteins, and novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Faculty have published on grading systems, diagnostic imaging, interprofessional education, and student assessment — contributing to both pedagogical advancement and clinical training. Collectively, these efforts reflect a sustained commitment to improving patient care, advancing oral health science, and shaping dental education.
Special Care and Geriatric Dentistry
Faculty at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry collaborate with the Fondren Special Needs Clinic, Cizik School of Nursing, Baylor College of Medicine, and UTHealth McGovern Medical School’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program to advance oral health care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Research and clinical programs focus on improving access, outcomes, and provider training through integrated medical and dental homes. Patients and families benefit from incremental behavioral training led by board-certified behavior analysts using applied behavior analysis (ABA), while dental and dental hygiene students gain hands-on experience in patient-centered care. Faculty also participate in statewide workshops with Texas dental schools to train private-practice dentists and hygienists in treating patients with I/DD, reinforcing a commitment to inclusive, interdisciplinary care.
Quality Improvement
Faculty collaborate with the UTHealth Houston McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics to develop and apply evidence-based measures for oral health quality, patient safety, and care outcomes—bridging dentistry and broader health care quality initiatives.
Oral-Systemic Health
Research highlights the link between oral and overall health, focusing on cancer prevention, chronic disease management, and interdisciplinary care.
- Tobacco cessation: Faculty at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry are collaborating with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop and implement tobacco cessation strategies within dental care settings. Several faculty members are certified tobacco treatment specialists, trained through MD Anderson’s nationally recognized program, and offer expert counseling and education to patients and students. Evidence-based tobacco cessation services are already in place at the Center for Health Promotion Clinics, where patients benefit from integrated, preventive care that supports long-term oral and systemic health.
- HPV vaccination: An innovative cancer prevention initiative is underway to increase HPV vaccination rates and reduce the burden of HPV-related head and neck cancers. The project integrates education, clinical services and health informatics in collaboration with the UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Electronic health records are optimized to include HPV screening questions, and students receive training in vaccine communication strategies. Vaccine administration is offered during dental appointments, directly linking oral health care with cancer prevention.
- Dental sleep medicine: Through interdisciplinary collaboration, including partnerships with sleep physicians, faculty are investigating how emerging technologies can serve as adjunct therapies to improve patient care and address obstructive sleep apnea more effectively. Research also includes evaluating various 3D printing materials and testing their physical properties to determine strength and suitability for in-office appliance milling, offering patients faster, customized treatment solutions.
Patents
- Mukherji, G. and Cooley, R. Dental Throat Dam US D923, 796 S in collaboration with Zirc Dental, marketed as a safety device “Airway Armor”
- Latortue, M. Dental Device. Patent filed on 06/11/2025. PF17155.006DS1_Design