The Dental School of the UT Health Science Center San Antonio will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala on May 7, honoring longtime supporter Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc.
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An organization that has helped more than 6,500 second-graders receive free dental screenings and preventive care will be honored at the 40th anniversary gala of The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School.

The gala, honoring longtime Health Science Center supporter Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc., will begin at 6:30 p.m. on May 7 at the Marriott Plaza Hotel, 555 South Alamo Street.

The event will raise funds to support the dental education outreach and community clinical care programs of the Dental School in San Antonio and South Texas.

Dental sealant clinic has helped thousands of youngsters
Each February over the past nine years, Health Science Center dental students and faculty members have screened 750 children from Edgewood Independent School District during National Children’s Dental Health Month. Methodist Healthcare Ministries has supported the effort by providing $10,000 a year — a cumulative total of more than $90,000 — for supplies including fluoride and the plastic material used for sealants that are applied to the children’s molars to prevent tooth decay. This is just one example of many programs Methodist Healthcare Ministries has supported in partnership with the Dental School. More about these programs will be detailed in the next edition of HSC News.

Kenneth Kalkwarf, D.D.S., M.S., has been dean of the Dental School for 22 years.

“This has been a wonderful partnership and has helped thousands of children — many of whom had never been to a dentist — receive preventive care and referrals for urgent follow-up care,” said Dental School Dean Kenneth Kalkwarf, D.D.S., M.S.

President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, added, “It is our pleasure to honor Methodist Ministries for their continuing support, not only for the Dental School, but for other Health Science Center programs, too.” Earlier this year, Methodist Ministries gave a transformative $3.9 million gift to the School of Nursing to fund three new nursing degree programs and to buy simulation manikins and other equipment for an innovative virtual hospital for clinical training.

Innovative institution
From its inception, the Dental School has been one of the most innovative dental schools in the country. In the next edition of HSC News, Dental School leaders will discuss several of the school’s major accomplishments.

Co-chairs for the gala include Dean Kalkwarf and his wife, Sharon Kalkwarf, Dental School Alumni Association President Dr. Carlen Palmer Blume and her husband Donald B. Blume, Dr. Warren and Mrs. Melissa Branch, Dr. Roger and Mrs. Carmen Campos and Dr. Claude and Mrs. Blanche Nabers.

To sponsor a table or purchase individual tickets to the gala, please call (210) 567-6536.