100 Years of Oral Health Advancement

Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, cuts into one of several cakes displaying the Centennial mark as the school begins its second century of oral health advancement.

Photo by Nancy Hudgins

The Centennial year of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston arrived with excitement and anticipation during an in-house kickoff celebration Jan. 3. It was the first of many events scheduled this year that will honor the oldest dental school in Texas.

"Thank you to those who have made, and continue to make, the Dental Branch the diamond in dental education that it is today - precious, enduring and multifaceted," said Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of the UT Dental Branch at Houston.

Flaitz and James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the health science center, shared words of pride for the school's past and promise for the future. Willerson reinforced the health science center's commitment toward the construction of a new building for the school.

"We want to ensure that it is a home to be proud of, with new facilities for teaching and learning, discovery and service to our dental patients," he said. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate the school's 100th anniversary than to lay the groundwork for a new building in which our faculty, staff and students will flourish in the years to come."

In honor of the Centennial year, the Dental Branch Parents' Association presented a Kavo Diagnodent, a device that uses a laser to detect decay. Following the reception, Bryant Boutwell, Dr.P.H., associate dean for community affairs at the UT Medical School at Houston, discussed Dental Branch history.

Visit http://www.db.uth.tmc.edu/Centennial/ for information on Centennial activities and events.

By Erika E. Durham, Public Affairs