Chair, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, a part of UTHealth Houston, invites nominations and applications for the full-time position of Chair, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics at the associate- or full-professor level on the tenure or non-tenure track. The position is available immediately. The School of Dentistry seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, and service have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to excellence in dental education.

The School of Dentistry's mission is "to improve human health by providing high-quality education, patient care, research, and service in oral health for Texas, the nation, and the world." The Chair is an integral part of the School of Dentistry's administrative team and will provide innovative leadership and advocacy in key areas of predoctoral and postdoctoral education, patient care, research, and service. The Chair will promote a humanistic and positive learning environment that welcomes, supports, and respects all students, residents, faculty, and staff.

The Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service, while adopting emerging technologies and establishing national and international expertise in restorative dentistry and prosthodontics. Faculty and residents specialize in restoring function and esthetics, and helping patients regain their quality of life.

The department has four critical areas of responsibility: predoctoral education, the Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics, patient care, and scholarly activity, including research and service. The Chair will provide vision, focus, and mentorship to further develop a dynamic and growing department. They will identify, cultivate, and pursue internal and external partnerships that lead to collaborative opportunities, including research collaborations across the Texas Medical Center. Other duties will include administrative responsibilities, such as departmental planning and budgeting, staffing, and supervision, as well as departmental representation to the School of Dentistry, UTHealth Houston, affiliated institutions, and the community.

The department delivers a comprehensive DDS curriculum with more than 20 core courses spanning dental anatomy, occlusion, operative dentistry, biomaterials, fixed and removable prosthodontics, esthetics, and orofacial pain, as well as electives in areas such as minimally invasive dentistry, laser, and biomaterials. The department is also a national leader in digital workflows and calibration, introducing advanced digital denture design, esthetic care models, and cutting-edge implant restorations into both preclinical and clinical education.

The Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics is a rigorous 36-month program leading to a Certificate and Master of Science degree. Residents gain advanced training in fixed and removable prosthodontics, maxillofacial prosthetics, implant placement and restoration, and interdisciplinary care through clinical rotations at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The Chair will provide leadership, oversight, and advocacy for the residency program and for the department's contribution to the school's educational mission.

The department also provides specialized care to patients across Houston, combining clinical excellence with compassionate service. Services include crowns, fixed partial dentures, veneers, partial and complete removable dentures, dental implants, full-mouth rehabilitation, maxillofacial prosthetics for cancer and trauma patients, and management of temporomandibular disorders and sleep appliance therapy. Faculty specialists and residents deliver treatment in a teaching environment, ensuring patients benefit from expert, team-based care. Centers of excellence include laser dentistry (certification for senior dental students and residents across multiple disciplines), esthetic dentistry (multidisciplinary collaboration for complex cases), and digital dentistry (integration of digital tools to enhance precision and patient outcomes).

Research initiatives within the department focus on oral biomaterials and biomimetics, esthetic and implant dentistry, and digital workflows and prosthodontic innovations. Faculty and residents publish in peer-reviewed journals, contribute book chapters, and present nationally and internationally. Collaborative partnerships, including with MD Anderson Cancer Center, enrich research and expand interdisciplinary care models.

This position reports to the Dean of the School of Dentistry.

Qualifications:

• DDS/DMD or equivalent degree; advanced training and board certification in prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, or related field or specialty are preferred;
• Eligibility for full or faculty licensure in Texas;
• Demonstrated record of experience in teaching, academic leadership, and involvement in graduate and/or predoctoral dental education;
• Evidence of scholarly activity (e.g., research, publications, quality improvement, educational innovation) and a track record of fostering collaborative partnerships;
• Credentials meriting appointment to the rank of associate or full professor on the tenure or non-tenure track;
• Minimum of five (5) years ormore of administrative supervisory experience in an academic, complex clinical, or advanced education training environment;
• Effective communication skills; and,
• Experience working effectively across diverse areas of focus and responsibility, including interdisciplinary teams and complex care delivery environments.

Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The School of Dentistry seeks candidates in all roles who are willing to contribute to our mission and vision, and promote interdisciplinary perspectives, understanding, and service to the community.

Instructions to Applicants: The application and supporting documents (CV, statement of teaching/research interests, and names and contact information of three references) must be submitted online.

Confidential inquiries may be directed to:
Ms. Shalan Mitchell, Manager
UTHealth Houston Office of Executive Recruitment
7000 Fannin St, Suite 150
Houston, TX 77030
Shalan.E.Mitchell@uth.tmc.edu
713-500-3251

Applicant Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.