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Dr. John A. Valenza was recently named dean of
The University of Texas School of Dentistry (UTSD) at Houston
Dr. John A. Valenza was recently named dean of The University of Texas School of Dentistry (UTSD) at Houston, effective June 1, 2011. UTHealth President ad interim Giuseppe Colasurdo, MD, announced Valenza’s appointment Friday, May 20. Valenza had been serving as interim dean since 2009. A 1981 graduate of UTSD, Dr. Valenza is the first alumnus to serve as dean in the school’s 106-year history. He joined the faculty in 1987 after completing a residency in Tennessee, where he practiced full time and also served on the faculty of Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. At UTSD, Valenza initiated the nationally recognized General Practice Residency program with Memorial Hermann Hospital, and he has held a number of leadership positions, including director of advanced education, associate dean for patient care, and executive associate dean. He has been deeply involved in the design and construction of a new, state-of-the-art dental school building and Faculty Life Center. Both are scheduled to open in mid-2012.
Under his watch, the school’s Open to Health fundraising initiative has had continued success, and he created a successful podcast series, UTSD V-flash!, to address issues at the school and enhance relationships with the school’s alumni, organized dentistry and the community. Dr. Valenza led a successful drive to change the name of UTHealth’s oldest school from “Dental Branch” to “School of Dentistry.” Dr. Valenza is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Education Association, American Association of Hospital Dentists, Texas Dental Association and The University of Texas Academy of Health Science Education. He is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.
This article is from UTSD News & Media, May 23, 2011.
Dr. Craig S. Armstrong - Texas Dental Association Service Recognition Award
at TDA Annual Session
At the TDA Annual Session in San Antonio on May 5th, Dr. Craig S. Armstrong was presented with the Texas Dental Association Service Recognition Award. It was presented for his tireless commitment to the writing and presentation of the 2010 Council on Dental Practice minority report to the American Dental Association (ADA) Board of Trustees.
Dr. Armstrong serves on the Council on Dental Practice (CDP) where he represents the 15th District. The mission of the CDP is to recommend policies and provide resources to empower members to continue development of the dental practice, and to enhance their personal and professional lives for the betterment of the dental team and the patients they serve. Last year, the CDP was charged with looking at changing the policies of the ADA with regards to Allied Dental Personnel. The Council passed resolutions that would have effectively permitted non dentists to perform surgical/irreversible dental treatment on patients. Dr. Armstrong voted against these resolutions, and upon returning home, decided to write a minority report speaking out against his Council’s resolutions. This report was then submitted to the ADA Board of Trustees and subsequently to the 2010 House of Delegates. The House of Delegates overwhelming voted not to change ADA policies that would allow non dentists to perform surgical/irreversible procedures. This was a huge victory for the minority report and the way we practice dentistry. It proves that one person can make a difference, especially if that person is from the great state of Texas!
Dr. Armstrong graduated from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. He has served the Texas Dental Association on its Board of Directors, DENPAC Board, Council on Dental Economics, Council on Dental Benefits and Oral Health, and as a Delegate and Alterate Delegate. He has served the American Dental Association as an Alternate Delegate and serves on the Council on Dental Practice. In our Society, Dr. Armstrong is past President, and past Chairman for DENPAC, Recruitment and Retention and New Dentist Committees. He owns a private general and cosmetic practice focused on delivering comprehensive and quality dental care, located in west Houston
Dr. S. Jerry Long receives Gold Medal for Distinguished Service
at TDA Annual Session
Dr. S. Jerry Long was selected as the recipient of the Gold Medal for Distinguished Service, an award presented to him on May 5th during the TDA Annual Session. The Gold Medal for Distinguished Service is the highest honor one can achieve in the Texas Dental Association. Only one person per year may receive the award. The criteria involve service in TDA leadership positions, ADA service, local society contributions that affect state concerns, commitment to organized dentistry and service to the community.
Dr. Long graduated from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. He served two years in the military as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Dental Corps. He has held positions as Chief of Dentistry and Deputy Chief of Hospital Dentistry at the Methodist Hospital. Dr. Long’s leadership service with the Texas Dental Association includes Delegate in the House of Delegates, the Council on Dental Care Programs and Council on Governmental and Legislative Affairs, Board of Directors, Vice President of the Southeast Division, as well as, recipient of the TDA President’s Award. Dr. Long has served in the American Dental Association as Delegate and Alternate Delegate, Vice Chairman for the 15th Trustee District, Chairman of the Council on Government Affairs, ADA Board of Trustees for the 15th District, and Board positions for the Council on Ethics, Judicial and Bylaws, Council on Membership and Committee on Dental Workforce. Dr. Long has lead our Society as President, Chairman for the Peer Review and Long-Range Planning Committees and General Chairman of the Star of the South Dental Meeting. Other leadership positions in organized dentistry include President for both the Southwest Prosthodontic Society and Southwest Society of Oral Medicine, Fellow with the Academy of General Dentistry and Fellow and President for the American College of Dentists and Fellow and President, Texas Section with the International College of Dentists. Dr. Long has also been President and Board member of the University of Texas Dental Branch Alumni Association, and received the Alumnus of the Year award. Dr. Long is Vice-Chair of the University of Texas Dental Branch’s “Open to Health” capital campaign and is an adjunct clinical associate professor for UTDB. The Texas Academy of General Dentistry named him “Texas Dentist of the Year”. Dr. Long received the Jack H. Harris Award from the Greater Houston Dental Alliance. Dr. Long had lead his community as Board of Governors for the Doctors Club of Houston, and Board of Directors for both the Executives Association of Houston and Houston Central Lions Club.
Dr. Long is a Managing Partner of D.D.S. Associates, a practice with emphasis on esthetic and restorative procedures located in the Texas Medical Center.
Healthcare for the Homeless Houston,
Dental Clinic Awarded at TDA Annual Session
On May 5th, the dental clinic of the Healthcare for the Homeless Houston (HHH) received a Certificate of Merit Award during the TDA Annual Session in San Antonio. The HHH Dental Clinic was nominated in March by the Greater Houston Dental Society’s Board of Directors. The clinic is a three operatory facility located in the SEARCH building in midtown Houston.
The mission of the HHH Dental Clinic is to provide full service, no-cost oral health services to homeless adults to address the vast need for dental care in this population. With marginal housing, and no health insurance, dental care becomes a low priority for these individuals. The result is poor dental hygiene, dental disease, and tooth decay and loss. For those they serve, the HHH Dental Clinic strives to remove barriers to oral healthcare, improve self-esteem, prepare individuals for self-sufficiency through comprehensive dental treatment, and empower them to practice appropriate oral self care through individual dental education. The clinic believes by educating patients to take an active role in their treatment, they will obtain a commitment from them to maintain their dental health. The homeless often undergo a transformation when they seek help at the clinic, which includes gaining the confidence needed to seek employment and rebuild their lives.
Dental professionals are continuously needed to volunteer their services at the clinic, as well as, donate their unwanted dental equipment, supplies and materials to the clinic. Please contact the clinic’s dental director, Dr. Teresa Grygo at (713) 276-3030 or grygo@bcm.edu or visit www.homeless-healthcare.org/dental_clinic for more information.