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Nance named dental director for Harris Health Community Dental Clinics

Published: June 07, 2024 by Kyle Rogers

Standing women poses with one arm resting a table in her dental white coat.
Dr. Paige Nance has been named dental director for Harris Health Community Dental Clinics

Paige Nance, DDS, has been named dental director for Harris Health Community Dental Clinics, Dean John A. Valenza, DDS, announced June 7.

Nance’s appointment is through UT Dentists, the faculty group practice at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, and was effective May 20.

As the new dental director, Nance will provide leadership for the dental service line at Harris Health System and support future expanded services along with providing quality care as a staff dentist.

“I’m honored and excited to work with UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry and Harris Health System,” said Nance. “I look forward to facilitating the ongoing quality care and patient satisfaction experienced by Harris County residents at these clinics.”

Nance has committed over 23 years to community and public health services. Some of her previous appointments include positions with River Hills Community Health Center in Iowa, the State of North Carolina, and the Wake County Health Department in Raleigh, N.C. In addition, she held an adjunct faculty appointment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry.

She says community dentistry is her passion because of its impact to improve oral health for an in-need population.

“Dentistry is a fun profession where you can make a patient feel and look better rather quickly and without much discomfort,” Nance said. “Good oral health equates to better overall health, whether it helps with systemic conditions, improving esthetics, or just allows the patient to eat foods they enjoy.”

Nance earned her bachelor’s in biology from Fayetteville State University. She completed her doctorate of dental surgery from UNC Adams School of Dentistry and her advanced education in general dentistry residency program with the U.S. Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base.

A decorated veteran, Nance received the prestigious USAF Commendation Medal for outstanding support during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) before leaving the Air Force.

Nance succeeds Kimberly Ruona, DDS, who was named the dental director Jan. 1, 2022 (after previously serving as the interim director), and helped steward UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry’s partnership with Harris Health System for several years until transitioning out of the role in May as she prepares to retire.

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