School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio awarded $6 million total to study treatment, pain management for oral cancer

With one of the lowest dentist-to-patient ratios in the U.S., and some of the nation’s highest childhood cavity rates, the research team is launching a school-centered program to promote prevention and build lifelong healthy habits. 

University researchers have developed a promising compound that targets tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. Their collaboration shows the power of multidisciplinary science that bridges dentistry, chemistry and commercialization to bring hope to patients.

With most UT San Antonio Health Science Center graduates choosing to remain in Texas, the university helps close critical workforce gaps in medicine, nursing, dentistry and allied health, ensuring high-quality care for communities across the state.