2026 Dean’s Excellence Award winners announced
The 2026 Dean’s Excellence Award recipients were recognized in the categories of Application, Clinical Service and Teaching. Photo by Kyle Rogers.
Twelve faculty members, including an interdisciplinary faculty team, have been named recipients of the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Dean’s Excellence Award for 2026.
Esther Kuyinu, DDS, MS, and Courtney Routh, RDH, MSDH, were recognized in the Scholarship of Application. Craig Pearl, BDS, MSD, received the Clinical Service Award. F. Kurtis Kasper, PhD, and Jonathan Shum, DDS, MD, were recognized in the Scholarship of Teaching. Additionally, the Dental Hygiene Local Infiltration Anesthesia Team, consisting of Arthur Jeske, DMD, PhD; Brandon Key, DDS; Sumayyah King, RDH, MS; Gargi Mukherji, DDS; Erin Potts, DDS; Clark Whitmire, DMD, JD; and Ryan Vahdani, DDS, MHA, was honored collectively in the Scholarship of Teaching category.
Dean and Distinguished Teaching Professor John Valenza, DDS, recognized the award recipients at the annual faculty retreat on July 24. The recipients will receive their certificates in August.
DEAN’S EXCELLENCE AWARD IN THE SCHOLARSHIP OF APPLICATION
“For aiding society and professions in addressing problems”
- Esther Kuyinu, DDS, MS, associate professor
Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics
Kuyinu was recognized for translating scholarship into meaningful improvements in dental education, clinical practice, and patient care. She developed standardized workflows and appointment preparation tools that improved efficiency in predoctoral and Special Patient Clinic operations while enhancing the patient experience. She also led the implementation of the Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index into Axium and shared the results through research and national presentations. Her work demonstrates the successful application of research, teaching, and leadership to improve clinical education.
- Courtney Routh, RDH, MSDH, assistant professor
Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene
Routh was honored for applying evidence-based research to strengthen dental hygiene education, clinical practice, and community outreach. Her scholarship on implant maintenance, artificial intelligence in education, and other emerging topics has informed patient care and educational innovation through publications and presentations at the local, national, and international levels. She has also demonstrated leadership through professional organizations, student mentorship, continuing education, and community service initiatives. Her commitment to translating research into practical solutions has advanced both the profession and student learning.
DEAN’S EXCELLENCE AWARD IN CLINICAL SERVICE
“For passion and exemplary dedication to patient care”
- Craig Pearl, BDS, MSD, associate professor
Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Pearl was recognized for his exceptional dedication to patient care, clinical innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As an attending surgeon across multiple hospital systems, he provides advanced care for patients with complex oral and maxillofacial conditions while helping advance clinical protocols through innovations in virtual surgical planning and temporomandibular joint reconstruction. His leadership, scholarly contributions, and commitment to improving patient outcomes exemplify excellence in clinical service.
DEAN’S EXCELLENCE AWARD IN THE SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING
“For the development of teaching models and practices to achieve optimal learning”
- F. Kurtis Kasper, PhD, professor
Department of Orthodontics
Kasper was honored for advancing dental education through innovative teaching, educational scholarship, and faculty development. His work in digital workflows, 3D printing, and instructional design has strengthened student and resident learning while contributing to the broader profession through publications, presentations, and textbook authorship. He has also fostered excellence in teaching through faculty mentorship and leadership, including service as president of the Dean’s Academy of Distinguished Scholars. - Jonathan Shum, DDS, MD, professor, program director
Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Shum was recognized for sustained excellence in teaching, curriculum development, and educational leadership. He has strengthened undergraduate, graduate, and fellowship education through innovative courses, multidisciplinary training programs, and evidence-based instruction. His scholarly contributions, national and international presentations, and dedication to mentoring future oral and maxillofacial surgeons have enhanced educational opportunities both within the school and beyond. - Dental Hygiene Local Infiltration Anesthesia Team
- Arthur Jeske, DMD, PhD, professor, associate dean for Strategic Planning and Continuing Dental Education
Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health, Office of the Dean - Brandon Key, DDS, assistant professor
Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Sumayyah King, RDH, MS, assistant professor
Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene - Gargi Mukherji, DDS, professor, director for Clinical Simulation
Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health - Erin Potts, DDS, associate professor, director for Special Patient Clinic
Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health - Clark Whitmire, DMD, JD, assistant professor
Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Ryan Vahdani, DDS, MHA, associate professor
Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health
The Dental Hygiene Local Infiltration Anesthesia Team was recognized for developing an innovative continuing education program that expanded dental hygienists’ clinical skills following changes to Texas regulations. The team created a competency-based curriculum that combines online instruction, simulation, and supervised clinical training while continuously refining the program through participant feedback. Their efforts have trained and certified hundreds of dental hygienists across Texas, strengthened faculty development, and established a model for high-quality continuing education that advances patient care and the profession.
