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About the School

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UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry building on a sunny day, with glass-and-brick exterior, American and Texas flags at the entrance, and landscaped lawn with flower beds in the foreground. $image.title

Since its founding in 1905, UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry has graduated more than 13,000 dentists, dental hygienists, and postgraduate generalists and specialists.

Our Vision

Improving oral health, improving overall health.

Our Mission

To improve human health by providing high-quality education, patient care, service, and research in oral health for Texas, the nation, and the world.

Explore the School

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry offers six educational pathways: dentistry, dental hygiene, advanced education, preceptor programs, international dental training, and continuing dental education. As a leader in oral health promotion and dental research, the School of Dentistry prepares students to advance the future of patient care.

Meet the Dean

Discover the vision and leadership behind UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, guides the school’s mission in dental education, patient care, research, and community service. A Houston native and alumnus, he is a nationally recognized leader in dentistry, bringing decades of experience advancing innovation, clinical excellence, and oral health for Texas and beyond.

Meet Dean Valenza

Dean Valenza

Accreditation

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry is proud to meet rigorous standards that ensure the highest quality in dental education. Learn more about our accreditation and what it means for students, faculty, and the community.

Accreditation Information

Careers at UTHealth Houston

Consistently rated as one of the Houston Chronicle's "Top Work Places," UTHealth Houston is one of the major employers in the Texas Medical Center. 

Career Opportunities