79R10725 MMS-D By: Wong H.R. No. 861R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, a longtime leader in dental health education and research and in the provision of dental services to the residents of Southeast Texas, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2005; and WHEREAS, The first dental school to be established in the state, the Dental Branch was founded as Texas Dental College by a group of dentists, physicians, and businessmen on February 11, 1905; the school remained a proprietary institution until 1943, when it became The University of Texas School of Dentistry; renamed The University of Texas Dental Branch in 1958, it became a part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 1972; and WHEREAS, Providing the full spectrum of dental education, the Dental Branch offers a doctor of dental surgery program, two graduate primary care programs, six graduate specialty programs, and a dental hygiene program; students enrolled in graduate dental programs may also enroll jointly in an M.S. or Ph.D. program offered by The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; in addition, the Dental Branch offers three combined-degree programs: doctor of dental surgery/doctor of philosophy, doctor of dental surgery/master of public health, and doctor of medicine/oral and maxillofacial surgery; and WHEREAS, Over the entire course of its history, the school has trained approximately 5,600 dentists, and, since 1943, a total of nearly 9,000 dental professionals; in 2004, the Dental Branch also provided continuing education to almost 3,000 practicing dentists; and WHEREAS, Individuals affiliated with the Dental Branch continue to undertake important new research, and in fiscal year 2004, they secured almost $2.8 million in research grants; the Dental Branch also boasts the largest comprehensive research training grant ever received by a component of the health science center from the National Institutes of Health; and WHEREAS, In addition, the Dental Branch operates an in-house clinic, as well as offering treatment at outreach facilities and associated hospitals; in 2004, the Dental Branch recorded more than 90,000 patient visits and provided, at no charge or at a discounted rate, dental care valued at some $1.2 million; and WHEREAS, The University of Texas Dental Branch, located in the world-renowned Texas Medical Center, contributes immeasurably to the health of Texas citizens and to the advancement of dental science, and it commits itself to changing the landscape of oral health in the years to come through excellence in education, discovery, and community service; as alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Dental Branch celebrate its centennial, it is indeed a pleasure to join in commemorating this momentous milestone in the school's distinguished history; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby honor The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston on the occasion of its 100th anniversary and extend to all those associated with the school sincere best wishes for continued success.