October 6, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Huw Francis Thomas, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., has been named dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, announced acting provost Eli Capilouto. Thomas currently is the chairman of the department of pediatric dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

“Dr. Thomas has a strong commitment to patient care, quality teaching and community outreach programs,” Capilouto said. “He also understands and embraces the very important role a strong research program plays in the enhancement and growth of the school. He is nationally recognized for his leadership in all of these areas, as well as his ability to develop collaborative relationships to bring dental education and better oral health to all facets of the population.

“I want to thank Dr. Rachel Booth, dean of the school of nursing, for her leadership in this search. She, the entire search committee and the school’s faculty and alumni are to be congratulated for bringing forward highly qualified candidates from which to choose from.”

Thomas earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from Guy's Hospital at the University of London, England. He earned a master's degree in dental research from the University of Rochester, a certificate in pediatric dentistry from the Eastman Dental Center and a doctorate in biomedical sciences from the University of Connecticut.

He joined the department of pediatric dentistry at UTHSCSA as an assistant professor in 1978. He then spent 12 years at the University of Connecticut, moving from clinical associate to associate professor. He then rejoined UTHSCSA as professor and chairman of pediatric dentistry in 1992.

“The School of Dentistry at UAB has an excellent reputation and is well situated to continue providing high-quality education while serving its patients and enhancing its research efforts,” Thomas said. “I very much look forward to being part of this bright future.”

Thomas’ research focuses on developmental biology, pediatric dentistry and infant oral health and has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health for 20 years. Thomas has published more than 100 scientific papers, abstracts and book chapters. He also has provided approximately 80 invited presentations.

Thomas has served as associate editor of the journal Pediatric Dentistry and as a member of the NIH/NIDCR Oral Biology and Medicine Study Section. He also serves as a reviewer for several journals including the American Journal of Anatomy, Archives of Oral Biology and the Journal of Dental Education.

Thomas serves as a basic science consultant for the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. He also is a member of the nominating committee of the American Association for Dental Research, the executive committee of the Section on Pediatric Dentistry of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a member-at-large of the Section on Dentistry and Oral Health Sciences of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He holds fellowships in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American and International Colleges of Dentists.

Thomas will join UAB January 1, 2004.