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Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The Bernard and Gloria Pepper Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry educates undergraduate students, residents, and fellows in the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery and outpatient anesthesia. The department’s clinical expertise spans corrective jaw surgery, advanced head and neck cancer treatment, and comprehensive care for patients with facial pain, facial injuries, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Services also include dental implant placement, bone grafting procedures, and other advanced surgical treatments.

Our Vision

Improving oral health and overall health of our regional, national, and global communities through the pursuit of excellence in all our activities (teaching, research, and service).

Our Mission

The mission of the Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery aligns with that of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. We are dedicated to serving diverse patient populations, promoting scholarly activity, and cultivating future leaders in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Through the efforts of our diverse faculty and staff members, we seek to:

  • Educating and training compassionate, ethical, and highly skilled surgeons committed to excellence in patient care, lifelong learning, and advancement of the specialty.
  • Contributing to the discovery of new information and technology through clinical, translational, basic science, and educational research.
  • Providing a comprehensive clinical and academic experience that fosters critical thinking, technical expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation in the diagnosis and surgical management of diseases, injuries, and defects of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Chair

 Mark Wong
DDS
Professor
Chair for Katz Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty

 Alfredo Arribas
DDS, MS
Assistant Professor
 Kamal Busaidy
DDS
Professor
 Dana Brotherton
Assistant Professor NTC
 Douglas Chappell
Faculty Associate
 Joseph Chen
DDS, MS
Clinical Associate Professor
 Christopher Daniel
DDS, MD, MBA
Assistant Professor
Director for Undergraduate Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Education
 Nagi Demian
DDS, MD
Professor
 Issa Hanna
DDS
Professor
 Lauren Hum
DMD, MD
Instructor
 Phillip Kattchee
DDS
Clinical Assistant Professor
 Brandon Key
Assistant Professor NTC
 Jose Marchena
DMD, MD
Professor
 James Melville
DDS
Professor
 Craig Pearl
BDS, MSD
Associate Professor
 Jonathan Shum
DDS, MD
Professor
Program Director for Katz Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
 Bruce Smith
DDS
Clinical Associate Professor
 John Smith Jr.
DDS
Assistant Professor
 Clark Whitmire
DMD, JD
Clinical Assistant Professor
 Simon Young
DDS, MD, PhD
Professor
Interim Chair for Katz Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Staff

 Rosa Benavidez
Lead Dental Assistant
 Jessica Cantu
Dental Assistant I
 Joanna Estrada
Reg Non Cert Dental Asst I
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Administrative Manager
 Joyce Hooks
Support Assistant
 Mary Nathan
Assistant Patient Access Representative
 Michel Rapalo
Assistant Patient Access Center Representative
 Meagan Stauss
MS
Coordinator I Educational Programs
 Lissette Saravia Navarrete
Dental Assistant I
 Ambreia Tarleton
Coding Specialist
 Helen Treon
RHIT, CPC
Coding Specialist
 Leah Williams
Senior Support Assistant

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents