Poornima K Mensinkai, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D
Associate Professor/Clinical
Director of South Asian Academic Initiatives
Assistant Director, International Dentist Education Program
Poornima K. Mensinkai, BDS, PhD, MS was born in Bangalore, India, and earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from Karnataka University in 2000. She later pursued advanced training at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio, UTHSA), completing a Master of Science in 2011 and a PhD in 2017 from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Mensinkai currently serves as Director for South Asian Academic Initiatives, Assistant Director of the International Dentist Education Program (IDEP), and Clinical Associate Professor at the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. She also represents the School of Dentistry as a Member-at-Large on the Faculty Senate, advocating for academic and institutional excellence.
In recognition of her professional achievements and commitment to education, Dr. Mensinkai was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (Mu Nu Chapter) in May 2025 and honored as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists in October 2025.
Deeply passionate about mentoring and training internationally trained dentists pursuing careers in the United States, Dr. Mensinkai directs the Hand Skills Continuing Education Course at Smile UTHSA. She is an active contributor to institutional service through her participation on the DDS and IDEP Admissions Committees, the Dental Education Outreach Committee, and the Dentistry Enhancement for Clinical Opportunities (DECO) Task Force for Patient Screening.
In service to her profession, Dr. Mensinkai maintains active membership in the Indian Dental Association (IDA), the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), and the International Association for Dental Research (IADR).
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Professional Background
Education
- 2017 - PhD - Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences, UTHSCSA
- 2013 - MS - Graduate school of Biomedical Sciences, UTHSCSA
- 2000 - BDS - KLE's Institute of Dental Sciences, Karnataka, India
Training
- 2017 - PhD - Biomedical Sciences - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio , TX
- 2011 - MDS - Biomedical Sciences - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio , TX
Appointments
- 7/2017 - Present - Assistant Professor/Clinical - UT Dentistry, Comprehensive Dentistry, San Antonio, TX
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- Instruction & Training
- Service
- Publications