Silva begins as dean of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry

Renato M. Silva, DDS, MS, PhD, began his tenure as the ninth dean of UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry on Sept. 30.

Renato M. Silva, DDS, MS, PhD, returned to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry on Sept. 30 as its ninth dean, bringing his career in academic dentistry back to the school where he spent more than a decade as a faculty member and department chair.

Silva served on the School of Dentistry faculty from 2011 to 2022, including as professor and chair of the Department of Endodontics. He rejoins UTHealth Houston from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, where he most recently served as professor, senior associate dean, and chair of the Department of Endodontics.

“It is an extraordinary feeling to return to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry as dean,” Silva said. “I know firsthand the talent, dedication, and commitment that define this community, and I am excited to reconnect with colleagues and meet the students, residents, faculty, staff, and alumni who make this school special. I look forward to working with our community to advance our mission.”

Silva begins his tenure as UTHealth Houston launches a university-wide strategic planning process, and the School of Dentistry continues to advance its work in education, research, patient care, and service.

“Dr. Silva is an exceptional leader who brings extensive experience across clinical care, research, and education, along with firsthand knowledge of the School of Dentistry,” said Melina R. Kibbe, MD, president of UTHealth Houston and Alkek Williams Distinguished Chair. “I am excited to welcome him back to UTHealth Houston, and I am confident that his collaborative approach and commitment to excellence will help strengthen the school’s programs and expand its impact through education, research, service, and patient care.”

Silva has a longstanding connection to the dental school, where he has held department leadership roles while teaching, mentoring students and residents, and conducting research. He is also a School of Dentistry alumnus, having completed his Certificate in Endodontics and Master of Science in Dentistry in Endodontics in 2015.

His academic training includes a DDS and endodontic certificate from University Gama Filho in Rio de Janeiro; an MS in endodontics and PhD in oral sciences from the University of São Paulo; and postdoctoral fellowship training in human molecular genetics at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.

Silva succeeds John A. Valenza, DDS ’81, who concludes his tenure as dean after nearly four decades of service to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. Effective Oct. 1, Valenza will transition to dean emeritus.

“It has been one of the great privileges of my career to serve as dean of the School of Dentistry, and I am grateful for all that our faculty, staff, students, residents, alumni, and partners have accomplished together,” Valenza said. “I am especially pleased to welcome Dr. Silva back to the school. He knows our people and understands our vision, and he brings valuable experience from across academic dentistry. I look forward to supporting him and the School of Dentistry in the years ahead.”

Silva takes the helm of the first dental school in Texas, which has a 121-year history and more than 13,000 graduates across dentistry, dental hygiene, and postgraduate specialty programs.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school that has been such an important part of my professional journey,” Silva said. “I look forward to listening, learning, and working alongside our community as we build on the School of Dentistry’s strengths, embrace new opportunities, and shape its future together.”