Vinaya Kundapur, BDS, MDS,FICD,PhD

Dr. Vinaya Kundapur earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Yenepoya Dental College, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Bangalore, India (2006), and a Master of Dental Surgery in Prosthodontics from A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore, India (2012). She later completed a Graduate Certificate in Geriatrics and Special Needs Dentistry at the University of Iowa, where she received the Samuel Johnston Graduate Student Fellowship Award for outstanding academic achievement. In March 2026, she completed her PhD in Translational Science at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She was also elected a Fellow of the International College of Dentists (ICD, Class of 2024), one of the highest honors in global dentistry recognizing leadership, integrity, and service. Her scholarly work and conference presentations have received multiple awards, reflecting her strong academic and research contributions.

From 2021 to 2023, she served as a Faculty Assistant and Program Dentist for the Holistic Oral Health Program for the Elderly (HOPE) at UT Health San Antonio, contributing to expanding oral healthcare access for nursing home residents and promoting interprofessional geriatric care. She currently holds a lead clinical role in the Geriatric Dental Clinic at UT Health San Antonio, where she provides specialized dental care for older adults and supports the training of dental students in geriatric and special care dentistry. Her leadership roles include Vice Chair of the Board of Geriatrics for the Federation of Special Care Dentistry (2022–2024) and Counselor for District 15–Texas of the International College of Dentists (since 2024).

Dr. Kundapur is actively engaged in community outreach and service, leading student visits to nursing homes to promote oral health awareness and improve access to care for older adults. She also collaborates with the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) to provide oral health education and outreach for aging populations in the San Antonio region. Her dedication to geriatric oral health is further demonstrated through grant-supported research initiatives focused on improving oral healthcare delivery, prevention strategies, and quality of life for older adults, particularly those living in long-term care settings.

Her academic journey and role as a Clinical Assistant Professor position her to inspire and educate future dental professionals. By integrating research, clinical practice, community outreach, and teaching, Dr. Kundapur strives to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and real-world clinical application to advance oral healthcare for older adults and vulnerable populations.