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Tulsi Patel, RDH, MHA, FADHA

Tulsi Patel, RDH, MHA, FADHA
  • Title: Associate Professor; Director of Health Promotion
  • Office: SOD 1452
  • Phone: 713-486-4399
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Administrative Area(s): Dental Hygiene, Patient Care, Periodontics and Dental Hygiene
  • Education:

    MHA | Pacific University | 2016
    EPDH, BSDH | Pacific University | 2014
    BS| University of Oregon |2010

Biosketch

Tulsi Patel, RDH, MHA, FADHA is the Director of Health Promotion and an Associate Professor in the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (UTSD). Since 2014, she has been a dedicated educator and clinician with specialized expertise in preventive health education and periodontology.

Prof. Patel completed her education and training as an Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist (EPDH) in Oregon, allowing her to practice a broader scope of care, including restorative procedures. She began her academic career as a Clinical Instructor at Pacific University before becoming a faculty member at UTSD in 2016.

At UTSD, she serves as the inaugural and founding Director of the Center for Health Promotion (CHP), where she oversees clinical and educational programs that advance integrated, value-based care within dental education. Her leadership supports the development of future dental and dental hygiene professionals through a model that emphasizes prevention, interprofessional collaboration, and health equity.

Research Interests

  • Periodontal therapy
  • Educational innovation
  • Preventive care

Organizations

  • American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
  • American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)
  • Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association (TDHA)
  • Dental Hygiene Educators of Texas (DHET)
  • Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Association (GHDHA)
  • Sigma Phi Alpha
  • Alpha Epsilon (Secretary)

Awards

  • Honored as a Fellow of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (FADHA) (2024)
  • Lorna J. Bruning Award for Excellence in Teaching (2018, 2023)
  • Procter & Gamble Excellence in Teaching Award (2023)

Publications

Patel, S., Gardner, A., Valenza, J., Novak, K., Patel, T., Hasbini, T., Spears, R., Jeske, A., & Joy-Thomas, A. (2025). Kotter’s change management approach to transforming oral healthcare delivery: A case study. Journal of Dental Education. Advance online publication.

Patel, T., & Henson, H. (2024). Update on periodontitis and gingivitis module utilizing 2017 AAP and EFP classification system for periodontal disease. Procter & Gamble Dental Care. https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/perio-exam

Naderi, R., Patel, T., & Thompson, M. (2024). A comparison study: The use of digital and conventional impression techniques in dental hygiene education. Journal of Dental Education, 88(5), 518–523.

Alkhafaji, N., & Patel, T. (2023). A chairside guide to the 2017 periodontal classification system. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, 21(9), 16–19.

Patel, T., Vayon, D., Ayilavarapu, S., Zhu, L., Jensen, S., & Lee, C. T. (2020). A comparison study: Periodontal practice approach of dentists and dental hygienists. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 18(3), 314–321.