University of Texas Dental Branch records

Identity elements

Reference code

IC 009

Level of description

Collection

Title

University of Texas Dental Branch records

Date(s)

  • 1906-2002 (Creation)

Extent

16.5 Cubic Feet (33 Boxes)

Name of creator

(1905-)

Administrative history

The Texas Dental College was established in Houston in 1905. It operated in the upstairs quarters on the north side of Franklin avenue between Main street and Fannin street. In 1925, the dental college built a modern teaching facility at Fannin street and Blodgett avenue. In 1929, the Texas Dental College was re-incorporated as a public trust under the direction of a board of trustees charged with the responsibility of providing quality training in the dental disciplines.

In 1932, Dr. Frederick C. Elliott from the University of Tennessee was brought on to serve as dean of the college. At this time in Houston the depression has cast an economic blight over the land. He was hoping for a freshman class of 30 to 40 but ended up with 11 students registered. Dr. Elliot became active in Chamber of Commerce committee work and, through service on the Educational Committee, pointed to the community’s needs for greatly expanded medical teaching and healing facilities. He developed a “total care” concept, calling for both public and private funds to provide facilities and services to meet the health and medical needs of all the citizens. Dr. Elliott quietly started discussions with Dr. Homer P. Rainey, the president of the University of Texas, and others in the University system, to lay the ground work for affiliation of the dental college with the university, with the dental college to remain in Houston as perhaps a unit in a medical teaching center which Dr. Elliott and Dr. E.W. Bertner sought for the community. On May 13, 1941, harry B. Jewett, chairman of the Chamber of commerce Educational Committee, on which Dr. Elliott then was serving, jumped the gun when he informed the Executive committee that the University of Texas would take over the dental college on September 1, 1941, and operate it as a unit of the University system. The official announcement did not come until August 29, 1942, contingent upon legislative approval and appropriation of state operating funds. The Legislature did approve, and on May 14, 1943, Governor Coke Stevenson signed the bill authorizing the affiliation.

The University took over the dental college as of September 1, 1943 leaving Dr. Elliott as the dean. Later, Dr. Elliott was named vice president of the University System. With the state cancer hospital already assured for Houston, and as further inducement for the University to take over the dental college, the Anderson trustees agreed to provide a site in the proposed medical center for the college and to donate $500,000 towards the cost of a building. In 1946 the Anderson trustees offered to provide an additional $1.5 million to the cancer hospital and the dental college. The two University institutions then approved for location in the medical center on a basis of $1 by the Foundation for each $2 provided by the State of Texas. The dental college trustees, all of whom had been active in seeking the affiliation were: Dr. Walter Henry Scherer, president; Dr. Joseph Phillip Arnold, vice president; Dr. Robert Henry Hooper, secretary; Dr. Paul Veal Ledbetter, Dr. Judson L. Taylor, and Dr. Elliot, ex officio secretary and dean of the college. Legislative approval of the affiliation of the dental college with the University, and appropriation of $109,000 for support of the college, remained to be accomplished in the regular session of the Texas Legislature, which convened early in 1943. Dr. Elliott met with the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee on February 2,1943, to seek support in the legislature. Dr. Elliott reported to the committee on March 16, 1943, that the Senate and House committees had approved the legislation and complimented Representative Emmett Morse of Houston in handling the bill. A most important factor influencing favorable legislative action was the program embarked upon by the Texas Dental College to train dentist for the Army and Navy. Today the University Of Texas School Of Dentistry occupies handsome quarters in the Texas Medical Center, provided by funds from the State of Texas, the M.D. Anderson Foundation and the Houston Chamber of Commerce.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The University of Texas Dental Branch records includes historical information from 1906-1997 about the University of Texas Dental Branch formerly known as the Texas Dental College. The collection includes items such as photographs and elevation drawings for the building that was built in the 1950s. The collection also includes information about the accreditation of the school as well as it's curriculum. Curriculum resources include teacher guides, study materials, and course catalogs and schedules.

The collection also directories from UT Dental Branch as well as Texas Dental Journal and Houston District Dental Society. There is information on student graduation dating back to 1906. There is ephemera from various school events such as ground breaking, centennial celebration, and various guest speakers. There are publications in this collection including handbooks, student guides, brochures, video tape catalogs and research manuals. There are articles, library history, library projects, memorandums and information about the law that govern dentistry.

There are administrative reports from committee meetings such as staff council minutes, strategic plans, SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) compliance reports, and progress and director reports, as well as research manuals, core catalogs of research expertise, fact books, and alumni surveys.

This collection is in good condition, consisting of 17 cubic feet (34 Boxes).

System of arrangement

At the time of processing this collection had no apparent natural order. The collection was arranged at the time of processing so that like materials were grouped together and, where applicable, grouped in sequential order.

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

This collection is open for research.

Physical access

Materials are in mostly good condition.

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to publish from this material must be facilitated through the repository, McGovern Historical Center.

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

Language and script notes

Finding aids

A detailed finding aid is available.

Generated finding aid

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Deed-4

Immediate source of acquisition

This material was received in the spring of 2010 as gift from the University of Texas Dental Branch library, which was being downsized to an area that lacked necesary storage space. It is unclear when the materials in Series VII: Adendum were donated.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

Accruals

Other materials may be added to this collection in the future.

Related materials elements

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related archival materials

R. Lee Clark, MD Papers, 1929-1985, MS 070; John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center of the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC) Library.

Papers of Frederick C. Elliott, D.D.S., MS 071, John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center of the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC) Library.

Notes element

Specialized notes

  • Citation: University of Texas Dental Branch Records, 1906-1996, IC 009; John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center, Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library. Please cite the box and folder numbers where appropriate.
  • Processing information: The collection was reviewed for duplicated materials and to establish order. Duplicate materials were discarded. Paper-clips and other binding materials were removed so that items might be properly preserved. Some materials were placed in Mylar or interleaved with archival bond. The collection was then arranged in an orderly fashion.
  • Processing information: Series 7 Addendum was processed by Johana Canales, fall 2023.

Alternative identifier(s)

TARO

00126

Description control element

Rules or conventions

Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard).

Sources used

Archivist's note

Finding aid prepared and encoded by Kristin Smits, June 21, 2010.

Archivist's note

Series 7 Addendum was processed by Johana Canales, fall 2023.

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Accession area