Our Mission
The Office of Patient Care at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry is dedicated to clinical excellence, educational innovation, and community service. We ensure seamless operations across all on-site, off-site, and specialized programs, delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while shaping the future leaders of oral health.
This is accomplished through our many divisions and services led by an excellent and dedicated team of leaders.
A message from our Associate Dean of Patient Care
At UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, patient care is at the heart of everything we do.
Through our clinical programs, outreach initiatives, and integrated care model, we are committed to advancing oral health, improving overall health, and serving the needs of our community. Whether you are a patient, student, faculty member, or community partner, we proudly offer a care environment built on excellence, collaboration, and trust.
We invite you to explore our clinics, educational programs, and outreach efforts, and to discover how the Office of Patient Care is making a difference, one patient, one student, and one community at a time.
Shalizeh “Shelly” A. Patel, DDS, MEd
Associate Dean for Patient Care
Meet the Team
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Clinical Education
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry delivers comprehensive patient care through its predoctoral dental clinic, dental hygiene program, and nine advanced education programs. A vertically integrated teaching model allows students to gain hands-on experience in specialized clinics, ensuring excellence in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management.
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Patient Support Services
This division enhances the patient experience by managing registration, financial processes, scheduling, and records management while ensuring HIPAA compliance. It fosters positive patient relations and safeguards critical health information, prioritizing efficiency and compassionate care.
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Clinical & Educational Support Services
This division ensures smooth operations by managing sterilization, inventory, patient care resources, and dental equipment maintenance. It provides technical expertise and emergency support, allowing faculty, residents, staff, and students to focus on delivering high-quality care.
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Community Outreach
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry is dedicated to expanding access to oral health care for uninsured populations. Through initiatives like the Mobile Dental Van Program, Give Kids-A-Smile, Give Vets-A-Smile, and Give Seniors-A-Smile, the school has provided over $12 million in dental care since 2017. These efforts enhance student training, restore oral health, and transform lives in Houston and East Texas communities.
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Center for Health Promotion
Our clinical care model is based on integrated dental medicine, focusing on person-centered care through prevention and health promotion. Our predoctoral clinics assess different oral, overall, and behavioral health risks, identify the need for medical consultations, and provide counseling in areas like tobacco use, nutrition, and immunization.
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Digital Dentistry
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry integrated CAD/CAM technology into its predoctoral curriculum in 2019, ensuring students are proficient in scanning, designing, and fabricating digital restorations. This innovation has expanded across advanced education programs, UT Dentists, and dental hygiene, setting new standards for precision and efficiency in modern dentistry.
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Implant Dentistry
The Predoctoral DDS Implant Program trains students in diagnosis, treatment planning, surgical placement, and restoration of implants. The Advanced Education Implant Program provides in-depth training in implant planning, site preservation, and full restoration using digital implant technology. These programs ensure graduates are well-equipped for success in implant dentistry.