SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 451

	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, eight 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 Senate of the State of Texas,
79th 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.
                                                                           Janek




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 23, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate