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Network Leadership



Network Leadership

Staff and Faculty

Dr. Rahma Mungia, BDS, MSc, DDPHRCS

Director 

Dr. Rahma Mungia, Associate Professor at the Department of Periodontics, the University of Texas Health San Antonio, is a clinical researcher with expertise in dental public health and community-based participatory research. Dr. Mungia earned her dental degree from KLE Dental Institute India. In addition, she earned her master’s degree in Dental Public Health from the Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, and a diploma in Public Health from the Royal College of Surgeons England. In 2005, she completed her Dental Public Health Residency at UTHSA School of Dentistry. She serves as the Director for the South Texas Oral Health Network (STOHN), supported by the UTHSA institutional Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA), and Assistant Director of the Southwest Region of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Dr. Mungia’s research portfolio includes publications in high-impact journals. As an educator, she is committed to providing high-quality instruction to prepare students to become leaders in their professional fields. Furthermore, she is passionate about serving the community by engaging in public health activities within the University and the broader community. Dr. Mungia can be reached by E-mail or by calling (210) 562-5685.

 

Melanie Taverna, RDH, MSDH, FADHA, MAADH

Assistant Director 

Professor Taverna is an Assistant Professor/Clinical Faculty in the Division of Dental Hygiene, Dept. of Periodontics, School of Dentistry; as well as Program Director of the Dental Hygiene Online Graduate Program and Co-Director of STOHN. She is a Fellow of the American Dental Hygiene Association (FADHA) and a member of the American Academy of Dental Hygiene (MAADH), and Secretary of the Community Liaison Committee which brings State and local public health partners together with the Division of Dental Hygiene to better serve the public and students. Melanie Taverna has been in practice since 1999 and with UT Health San Antonio since 2010. She teaches as Course Director in all three levels (Bachelor Entry, Bachelor Completion, and Master) in the Dental Hygiene Program. Her goal is to increase the quantity and variety of dental hygiene research opportunities for graduate dental hygiene students. Ms. Taverna can be reached by E-mail or by calling (210) 567-3858.

 

Advisory Board Directors

Dr. Cheryl Davis, MS, DMD

Dr. Cheryl Davis, MS, DMD is the owner of Cheryl E. Davis, DMD, Family Dentistry located in historic Ellis Alley Enclave. She received her MS in Environmental Toxicology at Prairie View A&M University and her DMD at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL. She has served as a General Dental Officer in the United States Air Force, Associate Dentist in private practice, Adjunct Professor of General Biology at Northwest Vista Community College and a Contract Dentist for the Correctional Health Care Services/Bexar County Jail. She has a diverse background in research involving HIV, strep mutans and environmental toxicology which has taught her to think outside of the box when faced with challenging dental treatment. Her current research interests include the effects of diabetes and HIV/AIDs in the oral dentition. Dr. Davis can be reached by E-mail or by calling (210) 212-8707.

 

Juanita Lozano-Pineda, DDS, MPH

Dr. Juanita Lozano-Pineda is the Associate Dean for External Affairs at the UT Health San Antonio School of dentistry, and Associate Professor in the department of Comprehensive Dentistry. She is a native of Brownsville, Texas, obtained a BA from St. Mary’s University, and is a graduate from The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. She has gained valuable insight and knowledge in dealing with diverse populations and has a strong interest in addressing the needs of underserved populations.
Dr. Pineda’s administrative responsibilities include overseeing external program logistics for the pre- and post-doctoral dental programs. Other duties include application for, and management of, several federal and foundation training grants for various community-based clinical rotations to underserved regions of South Texas and as director of the Hispanic Center of Excellence summer enrichment programs. Teaching experience focuses on risk-based clinical prevention, access to care, clinical rotations to underserved areas of South Texas, and IPE clinical and didactic experiences with nurses and community workers from the South Texas community. Other IPE activities include experiential IPE ergonomics training with Dental, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy students. Dr. Lozano-Pineda can be contact through email HERE.

 

Jay Fandel, DMD

Dr. Jay Fandel attended The University of Mississippi, from 1983 to 1986 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He entered the Air Force Dental Corps in July 1991 after receiving his DMD from the University of Mississippi Dental School, in Jackson MS. Dr. Fandel retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel and went into private practice as the owner of Concho Valley Family Dental in San Angelo, TX. While in the Air Force, Dr. Fandel was stationed abroad in Guam, Germany and was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq to support the second Gulf War. As Chief of Dental Services in Iraq, he played a key role in the forensic identification of Uday & Qusay Hussain and other high ranking BAATH party members and responded to numerous mass casualty events including the UN bombing in Baghdad. As a dental professional in the Air Force Dental Corps, he participated in several Humanitarian efforts including Operation Pacific Haven (relocation of Kurdish Refugees) and clean-up efforts after Super Typhoon Paka while stationed in Guam.
Dr. Fandel is a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, past president of the West Texas AGD (where he was nominated for Dentist of the Year 2021), American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, International Dental Implant Association, International Academy of Mini Implants and the local San Angelo District Dental Society

 

Salma Siddiqui, DDS

Dr. Salma Siddiqui is a dedicated DDS, MPH, and BDS dentist with over two decades of experience in providing compassionate dental care to her community. Armed with a dual degree in Dentistry and Public Health, Dr. Siddiqui has always been passionate about addressing healthcare disparities and serving patients who rely on Medicaid and Medicare for their healthcare needs. She firmly believes in the importance of these government programs in bridging the gap in healthcare access and providing essential services to the elderly, low income families and individuals with disabilities. At her clinics, Dr. Siddiqui ensures that her patients receive comprehensive dental care tailored to their individual needs through informed consent. She can be contacted by email at siddzfz@gmail.com.