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Catherine Flaitz, D.D.S.
Dean, The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston
E-mail: Catherine.M.Flaitz@uth.tmc.edu
Dr. Catherine M. Flaitz was named dean of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston July 13, 2004; assuming her latest role in a career spent dedicated to improved oral health.
Shortly after her appointment Flaitz was selected to receive the 2004 President’s Scholar Award for Excellence in Teaching from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The award served to highlight just one of many areas in which she excels.
Not only is Flaitz an accomplished professor, but also a practicing oral pathologist and pediatric dentist. Her work includes discovery efforts for the improvement of oral health and the volunteering of her time to provide dental care to needy families. She treats HIV infected patients at the Bering Omega Dental Clinic each week and travels to Romania each summer to treat orphans infected with the virus.
Flaitz’ career exemplifies The UT Health Science Center’s mission components – education, research and community service.
Flaitz came to the Dental Branch in 1992 as an adjunct professor of pediatric dentistry and later became professor and chair of diagnostic sciences at the Dental Branch. She also served as the director of the oral and maxillofacial pathology residency program from 2000-2001.
Her interest in clinical quality research was honored by her receipt of the Student Research Mentor of the Year Award from the UT Dental Branch Student Research Group in 2001. Furthermore, she has been the recipient of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation Research Award, every year since 1993.
In another dimension of professionalism, her writing ability was applauded by the American Society of Dentistry for Children for outstanding dental journalism in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001.
She was nominated for the President’s Scholar Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1999 and again in 2003. She also received the Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award 10 years straight from 1993 to 2002, the Alumni Teaching Excellence Award in 1997 and Spirit Teaching Award in 1995.
Dr. Flaitz came to the UT Health Science Center from the University of Colorado Health Science Center, where she worked as an assistant professor in diagnostic and biological sciences in the division of oral pathology and oncology.
She received her undergraduate degrees and D.D.S. from Creighton University in Nebraska. She earned her master’s degree in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Iowa and specialty training and certification in Oral Pathology at the same institution.
Her work has also yielded major grants for clinical research, specifically diagnostic techniques and approaches to treating oral lesions in healthy and HIV-positive patients.
Dr. Flaitz is a member of local, state, national and international dental associations, including the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the International and American Association for Dental Research, the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association and the Greater Houston Dental Society.
Her colleagues regard her as someone who expects and delivers excellence.
Date Reviewed: 11/07/2006
