Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month

Throughout October, join us in celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month by promoting the importance of good oral hygiene and recognizing the exceptional dental hygienists who safeguard the oral health of our communities.

With more than 60 million people across the United States—including more than four million in Texas—living in areas that have a shortage of dental professionals, we need dental hygienists more than ever. Inconsistent oral care can impact more than just the teeth; it can lead to heart disease, body-wide bacterial infection, and even cancer. Dental hygienists serve on the frontlines of oral health care, providing patients with the preventative oral care and knowledge to defend against conditions like these and enhance overall health.

Through the Dental Hygiene Program in the Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene, UTHealth School of Dentistry continues to lead the way in training future hygienists. The program is the only one of its kind in Houston offering a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Through partnership with UTHealth School of Public Health, the program also offers students the option to pursue a concurrent master’s degree or certificate in public health, helping to educate hygienists to enhance the oral health of entire communities. 

In addition to training future dental hygiene professionals, the program is also helping to address the shortage of dental hygiene educators through a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene degree that prepares graduates to teach in and lead dental hygiene programs.

We invite you to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month and improve oral health in our communities by making a gift to one of the following funds:

• The Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene Chair Fund, which provides the flexibility to support innovative dental care initiatives, fuel discoveries, and provide financial assistance to students.

• The Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene Advanced Education Fund, which enhances education initiatives like the Dental Hygiene Program and provides support for students.

• The Department of Periodontics and Dental Hygiene Research Fund, which advances innovative studies that could lead to better oral health in our communities.

Your gift of any size in honor of National Dental Hygiene Month will help advance the field of dental hygiene and educate the professionals who will protect the oral health of our loved ones and neighbors long into the future.