Dental Class of 2005 celebrates 20-year reunion

The UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry Dental Class of 2005 celebrated its 20-year reunion Nov. 8 in Austin, reconnecting over shared memories, milestones, and two decades of personal and professional growth.

The casino-themed gathering featured gaming tables, a catered dinner, and an open bar. Alumni were encouraged to follow a black-and-white cocktail dress code, adding a polished touch to the celebration.

For Gretchen Hoover, DDS ’2005 — known to classmates during dental school as Gretchen Fairlie Price — the reunion felt effortless and meaningful.

“It was remarkable how natural it felt,” she said. “It was as if no time had passed — no awkwardness, just instant hugs and smiles.”

Conversations quickly moved beyond formalities as classmates opened up about the experiences that have shaped their lives since graduation — building families, losing loved ones, buying practices, and making both good and bad decisions in practice ownership.

“We’ve all been through so much over the last 20 years that it was nice to share our experiences,” she said. “We have all gone through so much.”

Throughout the evening, the group reflected on memories from their time at the School of Dentistry — then known as The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, affectionately called the “Pink Palace.” Classmates laughed over late-night lab sessions, shared inside jokes about faculty, and remembered the day of the 9/11 attacks, which occurred during their first-year histology course.

“We shared stories about professors, hiding in the bathroom to study and spending the night without getting caught, chasing denture teeth on the floor of the lab at 2 a.m., and replacing crowns on our parents — who were dentists — just to meet graduation requirements,” she said.

One of the most cherished parts of the reunion was sitting together and talking late into the night.

“Some of our favorite moments were sitting and talking until 1 a.m. sharing funny stories about Dr. Rodney Beetar and other professors, and reminiscing about our time in the basement lab,” she said.

Classmates shared their appreciation for the chance to reconnect in person, and Hoover said the positive feedback made the planning worthwhile.

“They loved every minute and were very appreciative of the time and effort to make it special,” she said.

Hoover, who served as class president during the last two years of dental school, said the responsibility of helping create a meaningful reunion felt personal. During her time as a student, she lost her mother, a fellow alumna and member of the Dental Hygiene Class of 1969, who had inspired her to pursue a career in dentistry.

“My class was there to support me and lift me up during the hardest time of my life,” she said.

That sense of connection has endured among the classmates, and they said it made the reunion even more meaningful.

Looking back, Hoover said the experience of dental school — and the relationships formed during that time — remain unforgettable.

“I am so thankful for my education. It was the hardest and best thing I had ever done.”

The Class of 2005 is already planning to reunite again for its 25-year milestone.