Renato M. Silva, DDS, MS, PhD, hired as Dean of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry

I am pleased to announce that Renato M. Silva, DDS, MS, PhD, will return to UTHealth Houston in a new role as dean of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, effective September 30, 2026.  He will also be nominated to the William N. Finnegan III Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Dental Sciences endowed professorship.

Dr. Silva is an internationally respected clinician-scientist, educator, and academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to excellence across education, research, clinical care, and service. He brings to this role a remarkable combination of scientific distinction, clinical expertise, and firsthand knowledge of the School of Dentistry’s people, programs, and potential.

Dr. Silva served on the faculty of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry from 2011 to 2022, including as professor and chair of the Department of Endodontics. During that time, he advanced the school’s academic and clinical missions, mentored students and trainees, contributed to the school’s research enterprise, and helped strengthen a culture of innovation and excellence.

He currently serves as professor, senior associate dean, and chair of the Department of Endodontics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, where he previously began his academic career as an assistant professor from 2007 to 2011.

An internationally trained clinician-scientist, Dr. Silva earned his DDS from University Gama Filho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and completed endodontic certificate programs at University Gama Filho and UTHealth Houston. He received a Master of Science in Endodontics and a PhD in Oral Sciences from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in human molecular genetics at the University of Pittsburgh.

He has published extensively in endodontics and human genetics, received research support from the National Institutes of Health and the American Association of Endodontists Foundation, and is widely recognized for work that bridges discovery and patient care. His leadership in dental education, translational science, clinical practice, and faculty development will be essential as the School of Dentistry continues to prepare the next generation of oral health professionals while expanding its research and clinical impact.

Dr. Silva will be joined at UTHealth Houston by his wife, Ariadne Letra, DDS, MS, PhD, who will join the faculty of McGovern Medical School’s Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Research Center, where she will serve as Assistant Vice President of Clinical and Translational Research Development and collaborate with the School of Dentistry’s Center for Health Promotion.

“Returning to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry is both an honor and a homecoming,” Dr. Silva said. “This school helped shape who I am as an educator, clinician-scientist, and leader. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with faculty, staff, students, residents, alumni, and partners to build on its extraordinary legacy and advance a bold vision for dental education, oral health research, clinical care, and service.”

Dr. Silva steps into this role at an especially exciting time. As we launch our university-wide strategic planning process and invest in our future, the School of Dentistry will play an important role in defining what comes next for interprofessional education, oral health research, community service, and patient care. His experience, vision, and collaborative approach position him well to build on the school’s momentum and help lead it into its next chapter.

That next chapter will build on a distinguished history. Founded in 1905, the School of Dentistry has trained more than 10,000 dentists, dental hygienists, and postgraduate specialists. Located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center and embedded in one of the nation’s most comprehensive health science universities, the school is positioned for continued growth in education, discovery, clinical innovation, and service to the communities we serve.

I also want to express my profound gratitude to John A. Valenza, DDS, who will remain in the role as dean until Dr. Silva’s arrival, followed by a well-deserved retirement after nearly four decades of extraordinary service to the School of Dentistry. Dean Valenza has led the school to new heights, strengthening its reputation for excellence in education, clinical care, research, technology, facilities, and service while advancing its vision of Improving Oral Health, Improving Overall Health.

That progress provides a strong foundation for Dr. Silva as he works with faculty, staff, students, residents, alumni, and partners to carry the school’s momentum forward and expand its impact in the years ahead.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Silva on his appointment and in thanking Dean Valenza for his incredible career of service and leadership.

Melina R. Kibbe, MD
President and Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair