50 Years and Counting for Dental Hygiene

Congratulations to the School of Dental Hygiene on 50 Years of outstanding oral health education!

1945 The University of Texas Board of Regents authorized the creation of the School of Dental Hygiene.

1952 The legislature enacted the law stating that dental hygienists were licensed to practice their profession in the state under the supervision of a dentist.

1955 The School of Dental Hygiene enrolled 21 students in its first class.

1985 The prerequisites for entering were changed to require one year of college.

1989 The school graduated its first male student.

August 1992 Nina Bay Infante, registered dental hygienist, was named interim dental hygiene director.

June 1993 Infante assumed the position on a permanent basis. 2001 The class size in the school increased to 40 students.

2002 The first Bachelor of Science class was accepted with 10 students. Prior to this time the dental hygiene program offered certificates only.

2003 The graduating class held a golf tournament, raising more than $10,000 for an endowed scholarship.

2004 The first 10 students admitted into the bachelor's degree program graduated with a B.S. in Dental Hygiene.