Dental Education Outreach Network (DEON)

Community-Based Dental Training Programs

The Dental School Mission and Goals (Education, Research, Patient Care, and Service) are consistent with those of  UT Health San Antonio, with a focus on South Texas. Consequently, the provision of our dental education program includes community-based clinical training for students and residents at affiliated sites in South Texas, which are primarily located in Dental Health Profession Shortage Areas in Texas and Licensed DDS per 100,00 population/Texas table.

Through the Dental Education Outreach Network (DEON), consisting of affiliated training sites, community-based training is provided under the supervision of dental school faculty/adjunct faculty in a variety of areas: primary care, hospital-based care, oral surgery care, alternative dental care delivery (mobile van/portable equipment) programs, preventive dentistry, special patient care, and school-based programs.

These community-based training experiences enhance the students' ability to provide primary dental care and to manage a diverse patient population and function successfully in a multicultural work environment.

Currently, the School of Dentistry has numerous affiliation agreements/partnerships with community & migrant health centers in South Texas, city/county health departments, other faith-based non-profit clinics, hospitals, school districts, Head Start Centers, homeless shelters, and Indian Health Service facilities. The DEON-affiliated training sites also provide the opportunity for our dental students to interact with varying demographic groups, including Spanish-speaking patients in a variety of settings and locations.

You may also view information regarding required rotations for dental students (table / descriptions).