World Health Organization
Collaborating Center

About This Center

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School has been re-designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Collaborating Center for Translation of Oral Health Sciences into Clinical and Public Health Practice.

"Collaborating Centers form part of an inter-institutional network set up by WHO in support of its programme at the country, intercountry, regional, interregional and global levels, as appropriate."

The terms of reference for the WHO Collaborating Center in San Antonio were assigned to assist the Global Oral Health Program in achieving its goals and objectives and in congruence with the priorities established. Accordingly, the activities developed by the WHO Collaborating Center in San Antonio, aim to focus on programs related to policy building for oral health, community prevention programs, research capacity building for oral health in developing countries and standardization of dental terminology. The Center also develops other activities focusing on deprived population groups, minorities and migrant populations, capacity building for oral health professionals and coordination of volunteer educational endeavors.

Assistance is provided to countries on planning, development and implementation of national oral health programs. In collaboration with WHO Regional Offices the Center also assists countries on education, research methodology training and research development endeavors. Continuing education on various areas of dentistry is coordinated with schools of dentistry or other professional institutions.

Another primary goal of the Collaborating Center is to establish a worldwide network of scientists and foster collaboration between professionals of various countries for the possible development of collaborative research programs.

The Center also collaborates with dental manufacturers on research and development of biomaterials. Protocols and projects are developed for conducting laboratory or clinical research studies.

Staff from the Center actively collaborates with various standardization organizations on standards development for materials used in dentistry. Training programs on standards development and testing methodology according to ISO/ANSI standards are offered to countries or institutions with specific needs.