Departments & Divisions
Rita Parma, D.D.S.
Associate Professor
Director of the International Dental Education Program
Dr. Rita Parma is the Director of the International Dentist Education Program, (IDEP). As Director, she is responsible for recruitment, admissions, and training of International Dentists seeking to practice in the United States. She has served an academic role in creating the curriculum for the IDEP Introduction Course and led in the development of the School of Dentistry’s new pre-clinical curriculum as the Introduction to Patient Care Track Leader. Previous to these roles, she served as the Director of Preclinical Operative Dentistry where she developed the Aim High Hand Skills program and a new innovative introductory Operative and Fixed Prosthodontics course that incorporated senior Dental students as peer teachers. Dr. Parma has been in a clinical teaching role for over 20 years as an Attending Faculty on the predoctoral clinic and has served as an Operative Representative and as a General Practice Group Assistant Leader.
Her expertise is in admissions, curriculum development, and evidence-based practice. Dr. Parma has presented her research on early adoption of evidence-based dentistry, curriculum to enhance the development of clinical hand-skills, and predictors of clinical success for admissions at national and international conferences. She has served as president for the American Dental Education Association Section on Operative Dentistry as part of The Consortium of Operative Dentistry Educators. Rita Parma reviews for the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, Journal of Operative Dentistry, as well as the Journal of Dental Education. She has had an active role as a Champion of Evidence-Based Dentistry for the American Dental Association. She has represented our institution as a delegate to the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and as a Liaison to the ADEA Commission on change.
As the Daughter of an Immigrant from Mexico, Dr. Parma's passion is working with International Dentists from all over the world and getting to be a part of their journey in fulfilling their dreams here in the United States.
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Professional Background
Education
- 1991 - DDS - Dentistry - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Training
- 2021 - School of Dentistry Emerging Leaders Certificate - UT Health San Antonio School Of Dentistry
- 2014 - Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship - Academy of General Dentistry
- 2006 - TExAS Fellowship - Teaching Excellence and Academic Skills Professional Development - UT Health San Antonio
Highlights
- Top Dentist Award :2021,2020,2019,2018,2017
- Research in Dental Education Award 2019 mentee Sam Athana, 2018 mentee Elena Riccio
- Assistant Marshal Award: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2007
- DS2 Professor of the year award: 2010, 2007
- Faculty Travel Award in Dental Research ADR/AADR/CADR 87th general session 2009
- Nomination for Presidential Teaching Excellence 2008
- Presidential Certificate of Service Award 2008
Appointments
- 2016-Present - Associate Professor - UT Health San Antonio School Of Dentistry
- 2012-Present - Director of the International Dentist Education Program - UT Health San Antonio School Of Dentistry
- 2014-2017 - Track Leader :Introduction to Patient Care - UT Health San Antonio School Of Dentistry
- 2011-2013 - General Practice Group Assistant Leader - UT Health San Antonio School Of Dentistry
- 2008-2011 - Assistant Professor - UT Health San Antonio School Of Dentistry
- 2004-2012 - Director Preclinical Operative Course - UT Health San Antonio School Of Dentistry
- 2004-2011 - Clinical Operative Representative - UT Health San Antonio School Of Dentistry
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Instruction & Training
- 2020 to Present, DFRDP Advance Restorative Procedure, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2020 to Present, DFRD 6008 Preclinical Replacement of Teeth, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2017 to Present, COURSE DIRECTOR :International Dental Education Program Introduction Course 5001 , UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, Gend 7001 :Junior General Dentistry Clinic , UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Orientation and Introduction to Clinic Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Oral Surgery Module, UTHSCSA Dental School
- 2013t o Present, IDEP Removable Partial Denture Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Complete Denture Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Implant Dentistry Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Introduction to TMD and Occlusion Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Periodontics Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Endodontic Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Radiology Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Orthodontic Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Clinical Medicine Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 to Present, IDEP Fixed Prosthodontics Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2006 to Present, IDEP Operative Dentistry Module, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2013 - 2016, COURSE DIRECTOR :International Dental Education Progam Prematriculation, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2011-2013, PROS 6095 Preclinical Removable Partial Lab, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2010-2013, DIG 5001 Intro Clinic Dent Diagostic Sci, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2007-2009, RESD 5104 Dental Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2005-2013, RESD 70001 Operative Dentistry Clinic ; Disipline Rep, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2005-2012, COURSE DIRECTOR :RESD 6002 Preclinical Operative Dentistry , UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2004=2014, RESD 7005 Esthetic Dentistry, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2004-2006, RESD 5101 Operative Dentistry: Lecturer, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2000-2013, RESD 6001 Operative Dentistry Lecturer, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2000-2004, RESD 5017 Preclinical Fixed Prosthodontics, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 2000-2004, RESD 5014 Preclinical Operative, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- 1997-2004, RESD 7001 Clinical Operative Dentistry, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
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Service
School
2020- Present Faculty Assembly Teaching Awards
2020-Present DECO Task Force: Marketing, Dental Assisting and Lab program, Clinics at UT Alamo Colleges, Clinics in Corporations, and to Improve Patient experience
2015-Present: D1 and D2 & D3 and D4 Curriculum Management Committees
2012-Present Faculty Development Committee
2013-Present: Chair International Dentist Admissions Committee
2008-Present: CATs Initiative Advisory Board
2009-2016; Scholarship Committee
2018-2019:Accreditation Self-Study standard 4.2 and4.3
2015-2018 Introduction to Patient Care Track Leader Curriculum Development
2011-2017 Chair Curriculum Management Committee
2010-2016 Admissions Committee
2010-2013 Student/Faculty Relations Committee
2009-2010 Chair Faculty Assembly Committee on Committees
2009-2010 Accreditation Self-Study
2008-2012 Task Force to Evaluate Pre-Doctoral Clinical Education
2008-2009 Mid-term Accreditation Task Force Curriculum Chair of Sub Committee for writing Standard Critical Thinking
2007-2010 Altered Curriculum Committee
2007- 2008 Chair Course Director Forum
2007-2013 Committee for Innovative Curriculum
Institutional
Present: International Relations Committee
2014-2016 Academic Assessment Committee
2006-2013 University Committee for Women Faculty Association Nominations Committee
2008-2014 Infection Policy and Education Committee
Service to the Profession
Present: Past President of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Dental Honor Society and in 2019-2020 served as President Local Chapter, 2018-2019 Vice President
2013-2014: Past President Academy of General Dentist (AGD)San Antonio Board,2012-2013 President AGD San Antonio Board
2012-2013:Chair-Omicron Kappa Upsilon Membership Committee
2012-2013 Academy of General Dentist San Antonio Continuing Education Program Committee
2011-2019 Academy of General Dentist San Antonio Board
2008-2019 San Antonio Academy of General Dentistry Advisory Committee
2006-2013 Academy of General Dentistry Steering Committee
2003-2012 American Association of Women Dentist Student Sponsor
National
2008 to Present: American Dental Association Champion of Evidence-Based Dentistry
2016 to Present: Mentors student research -American Dental Educators Association Academic Dental Careers Fellowship Program
2013: Past President-American Dental Educators Association Operative Dentistry and Biomaterials
2012-2013: Liason American Dental Educators Association of Council of Faculties
2012-2013:Delegate-American Dental Educators Association House of Delegates
2012 President-American Dental Educators Association Operative Dentistry and Biomaterials
2011 Vice-President American Dental Educators Association Operative Dentistry and Biomaterials
2010 Poster Reviewer ADEA
2010 Secretary American Dental Educators Association Operative Dentistry and Biomaterials
2008-2013 Liaison ADEA Commission on Change and Innovation
2006-2013 Liaison Consortium of Operative Dentistry Educators
Community
Volunteer in the following:
ACTs Ministry: Was on the steering committee for St. Pius Church, Led retreats, and currently participate in retreats, funerals, and sick visits as part of the music ministry as needed
MGUS. Myeloma online support groups contributor
Oak Hills Church Angel Tree Project
Oak Hills volunteer day for Children's Hunger Fund, Habitat for Humanity,and Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries
Oral Cancer Foundation Oral Cancer Walk: As Academy of General Dentistry San Antonio Chapter President and OKU chapter member began as the Liason for the first Oral Cancer walk and now participate yearly
Operation Blue Santa with Academy of General Dentistry
Fisher House Foundation with Academy of General Dentistry
Global
2007-Present Editorial Review Board, Journal Operative Dentistry
2008-Present Reviewer for the Journal of Dental Education
2009-Present Reviewer for the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry
2006-2011 Planning Committee for the Summer Institute of Evidence-Based Practice International Science Summit and Conference
2008- Liaison Harvard School of Medicine International Conference on Problem Based Learning
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Publications
Peer-Reviewed Published Abstracts
1.Sam Athana Parma RR . Comparing Potential Predictors of Dental Student Clinical Success 2020 Feb. (Conference: Kenneth Shine2020 16 th annual conference innovations ).2.Sam Athana, Parma RR. Comparing Potential Predictors of Dental Student Clinical Success 2020. (Journal of Dental Education ADEA; vol. 186, no. 271).
2.Sam Athan, Parma RR. Comparing Potential predictors of Dental student Clinical Success 2020. (Journal of Dental Education ADEA:vol. 186, no 271
3.Parma RR Iman Rahimi Violeta Stoyanova. "Real-life" Stories and Critical Thinking 2018 Mar. (Journal Of Dental Education ADEA 2018 Annual Session and Exhibition; vol. PO, no. 060).
4.Parma RR Marianela Villarreal. Effective Faculty Calibration Methods in Pre-Clinical Dental Education 2018 Mar. (Conference: American Dental Education Association At: Orlando, Florida Volume:. 2018; vol. Po, no. 181).
5.Parma RR Willian Hendricson: Khanani. Mindset and Clinical Success Survey(MACS) 2017 Jan. (Journal Of Dental Education).
6.Parma RR. Can Future Faculty Be Developed During Dental School? 2016Feb. (Conference: American Dental Education Association At: Denver, Colorado Volume: Journal of Dental Education. 2016; 80 (2)).
7.Barghi N, Parma RR, MCALISTER, T., Rawls HR. Bonding Resin Composite to Glazed Porcelain IADR; 2011 Mar. (journal for dental research Abstract 1920).
8.Parma RR, Rugh JD, Hatch JP, Mueller, C, Gureckis KM. Comparison of Sources of New Knowledge of Adopters vs. Non-Adopters 2010 Mar. (American Assn. Dental Research Annual Meeting #882).
9.Rugh JD, Sever, N, Hendricson, WD, Parma RR, Gureckis KM, Hatch JP, Hernandez, MR. Facilitating Student Encounters in An Academic Detailing Program 2010 Mar. (American Assn. Dental Research Annual Meeting #304).
10.J.D. Rugh, N. Sever, W.D. Hendricson, R.R. Parma, K. Gureckis, B.J. Glass, S.R. Matteson, and J.P. Hatch. An Academic Detailing Program to Enhance the Diffusion of Innovation. 2010 Feb. (3rd Annual AADR Fall Focused Symposium: Salivary Diagnostics: Scientific & Clinical Frontiers. Ar ).
11.Rugh JD, Sever N, Hendricson WD, Parma RR, Gureckis K, Hatch JP & Glass B. Academic Detailing in Private Professional Practice: A Pilot Project. Austin Tx: 2010 Feb. (UT Academy of Health Science Education Innovations in Health Science Education 6th Annual Conference).
12.J.D. Rugh, R.K. Klepac, N. Sever, W.D. Hendricson, R.R. Parma, K.M.Gureckis, and J.P. Hatch. Encouraging the Integration of Current Scientific Findings in Private Professional Practice: A Pilot Project. 2009 Oct.(Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers, 4th National Conference, St. Louis, MO).
13.Parma RR, Rugh JD, Summitt JB, Hatch JP, Gureckis KM. Impediments for Acceptance of Sealants for Suspected Fissure caries Lesions 2009 Jul.(Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice, 8th Annual Meeting. SanAntonio, TX.).
14.Rugh JD, Sever NM, Hendricson WD, Parma RR, Gureckis KM, Summitt JB, Hatch JP. Pilot Test of an Academic Detailing Program in Dentistry 2009 Jul.( Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice, San Antonio, TX (Abstract #59,p.216)).
15.J.D. Rugh, R.K. Klepac, N. Sever, W.D. Hendricson, R.R. Parma, K.M.Gureckis, and J.P. Hatch. Impediments for Acceptance of Sealants in Suspected Fissure Caries Lesions 2009 Apr. (IADR/AADR/CADR 87th General Session, Miami, FL).
16.Rugh JD, Sever N, Hendricson WD, Johnson JA, Parma RR, Gureckis KM, Summitt JB & Hatch JP. Pilot Program of Academic Detailing in Dentistry 2009Apr. (UTHSCSA Dental Science Symposium. April 2009.).
17.Rugh JD, Sever NS, Hendricson WD, Johnson JA, Parma RR, Gureckis K, Summitt JB & Hatch HP. Pilot Test of an Academic Detailing Program in Dentistry. Journal of Dental Research 88 (Special Issue A): Abst# 2022.IADR/AADR/CADR 87th General Session, Mi; 2009 Apr. (Journal of Dental Research).
19.Parma RR, Rugh JD, Summitt JB, Hatch JP & Gureckis KM. Impediments for Acceptance of Sealants for Suspected Fissure Caries Lesions. IADR: 2009 Apr. (Journal of Dental Research 88 (Special Issue A): Abst# 2516, IADR/AADR/CADR 87th General Session, Mi).
20.Guest GF, Ongiko R, Gureckis KM, Mansueto MA, Parma RR, Troendle KB, Summitt JB. Online resources to support the implementation of a dental school preclinical simulation laboratory [abstract 23]. American Dental Education Association; 2008 Feb. p. 253. (J Dent Educ; vol. 72, no. 2).
21.Villarreal Marianela Parma RR Willian Hendricson . Scope of the OSCE in the Assessment of Behavior Management Through The Standardized patient in Dentistry 2001 Feb. (Journal of Dental Education. 2017).
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
1.William Hendricson, Mai Luk, Jaclyn Vu, Ellis Shwarts, Alexander Ling Elena Riccio, Earlanda Williams, Joseph Connor Kevin Gureckis, David Cappelli Parma RR. Can Future Faculty Be Developed During Dental SchoolJournal of Dental Education 2016 Feb;80(2)
2.Parma RR, Andrade R. Polymer Burs Remove Less Sound Dentin and are as Effective as Carbide Burs in Caries Removal Texas Journal of Dentistry 2012 Apr
Published Critically Appraised Topics(CAT)
1.Parma RR, Garcia, Maya. Posterior Ceramics are less affected by bruxism with greater longevity than posterior direct composite resins.CAT 2013 Mar
2.Parma RR, Simon, Robert. Antibacterial Composite Resins Show Potential For Minimizing Secondary Caries CAT 2013 Mar
3.Parma RR, Ploch, Caitlyn. Limited evidence to show the safety of Resin-Modified Glass Compared to Conventional Glass-IonomersCAT 2013 Mar
4. Parma RR, Ham L. Oral Contraception and Estrogen Replacement Therapy Are Not Linked To TMD Severity CAT 2012 Apr
5.Parma RR, Hong K. Nano filled Composite Demonstrated Less Surface Roughness Compared To Nanohybrid Composites After Clinical Use CAT 2012 Apr
6.Parma RR, Andrade. Polymer Burs Remove Less Sound Dentin and are as Effective as Carbide Burs in Caries Removal Texas Journal of Dentistry2012
7.Parma RR, El Kwief S. Mineral Trioxide Aggregate As Direct Pulp Capping Cement Is More Effective In Calcified Bridge Formation And Reduction Of Pulp Inflammation Than Dycal and Ca(OH)2 CAT 2011 Apr
8.Parma RR, Koeng K. Polystability Of Nanofilled Resin Composites Compared To Microfilled Resin Composites CAT 2011 Apr
9.Parma RR, Hassan. Similar Clinical Performance Of Direct Resin Composite Restorations And Indirect Composite Inlays CAT 2011
10.Parma RR, Bui H. Carbides Chosen Over Diamonds When Using Self-Etch Bonding Agents CAT 2011
11.Parma RR, Cacho M. Composite Restorations Have a Higher Frequency of Repair Compared to Amalgam Restorations When Placed in Posterior Permanent Teeth in Pediatric Patients CAT 2011
12.Parma RR, Willhite. Amalgam and Resin Composite Fillings Show Equal Failure Rates in Small Posterior Restorations while Amalgam Shows Better Survival than Composite if used for large posterior restorations. CAT 2011
13. Parma RR, Dobelbower S. Similar Longevity Of Gold Inlays Compared To CAD/CAM Ceramic Inlays CAT 2010
14. Parma RR, Bernal A. Beveling of Proximal Cavo-Surface Margins Reduces Microleakage CAT 2010
15.Parma RR, BUI H. Applying Adhesive Techniques Over Darkened Dentin Can Decrease Bond Strength CAT 2010
16.Parma RR, Williams A. Wear Resistance of Filtek Supreme Versus Z100 CAT 2010
17.Parma RR, Williams E. Retention of large amalgam restorations with amalgam pins and Amalgambond CAT 2010
18.Parma RR. Porcelain veneer Bonding Failure in Dentin CAT 2009