Kenneth M. Hargreaves, DDS, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in dental research and education, has been named dean of the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. His appointment is effective May 1, 2025, as announced by Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system.
A member of the UT Health San Antonio faculty since 1997, Hargreaves brings to the role a career defined by scientific innovation, academic mentorship and visionary leadership. He will serve a three-year term as dean.
Currently, Hargreaves serves as professor of endodontics, director of the Craniofacial Oral-Biology Student Training in Academic Research (COSTAR) program and founding director of the Center for Pain Therapeutics and Addiction Research — a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to revolutionizing pain management and reducing opioid dependency.
“Dr. Hargreaves has shaped the global conversation around dental research and pain management,” Cigarroa said. “His leadership will elevate the School of Dentistry’s mission and continue its remarkable momentum in advancing oral health care, education and discovery.”
With more than $139 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense and other agencies, Hargreaves’ work spans regenerative medicine, pain therapeutics and translational research. He is the co-author of the definitive endodontics textbook, Cohen’s Pathways of the Pulp, and the namesake of the “Hargreaves test,” a globally adopted standard in preclinical pain research.
Among his many honors are the American Dental Association Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Dental Research and the International Association for Dental Research Distinguished Scientist Award. He also serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Endodontics.
Hargreaves succeeds Peter M. Loomer, DDS, PhD, MBA, who has served as dean since 2019. During Loomer’s tenure, the School of Dentistry rose to No. 1 in Texas, No. 12 nationally and No. 30 globally in dentistry and oral sciences, according to the 2024 ShanghaiRanking. He oversaw the launch of the Phil and Karen Hunke Special Care Clinic — the only Texas clinic of its kind in an academic setting — and expanded interprofessional training opportunities to better serve South Texas’ patient populations.
“Dr. Loomer’s commitment to excellence in education, research and service has left an enduring legacy,” Cigarroa said. “His leadership positioned the School of Dentistry as a model for innovation and impact.”
As dean, Hargreaves will lead efforts to expand research in areas such as regenerative science, community-based prevention and emerging care technologies, while also preparing the next generation of dental professionals and advancing community service across the state.
“I am deeply honored to serve as dean of our School of Dentistry,” Hargreaves said. “We have a rich history of providing outstanding care to thousands of patients, providing important community services, educating the next generation of clinical leaders and discovering novel methods to treat oral disease. Together with our amazingly talented faculty and students, we make lives, and smiles, better.”