School of Dentistry announces new director for the Division of Dental Hygiene

Mandy Saal

January 17, 2023

Is there a better way to introduce a new faculty member than by welcoming back a previous UT Health San Antonio student? We are honored to have Kristine E. Hynes, DDS, an alumna of the School of Dentistry, join our faculty as the new director of the Dental Hygiene Division in the Department of Periodontics.

Before attending UT Health San Antonio, Hynes received her Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Coastal Bend College in Beeville, Texas in 2001. In the same year, she was the recipient of the Proctor and Gamble Preventive Dentistry Award.

Immediately after making her way to San Antonio, she completed her pre-dental studies at UT Health San Antonio while she worked as a dental hygienist in Helotes, Texas. Hynes then entered the Doctor of Dental Surgery program and graduated in 2009. During her time at UT Health San Antonio, she was a recipient of the Dean’s Recognition Award and made the National Board Part II Top 5%.

Hynes went on to work in private practice and served as a lieutenant in the United States Public Health Service. During that time, she received a Shiprock Service Unit Recognition award and a Basic Officer Training award. She also has experience as an oral health director for a private health system in Durango, Colorado, and has practiced comprehensive general dentistry for a Community Health Development in Uvalde, Texas. In her previous position at Community Health Development, she served as the chief dental officer and chief clinical innovations officer.

“With having trained in both dental hygiene and dentistry, and, being an alumna of our dental school, she is in a unique position to facilitate the integration of our programs,” stated David Cochran, DDS, PhD, chair of the Department of Periodontics.

When Hynes can enjoy her free time, she loves spending it with her husband and four daughters, hiking with her dogs and playing tennis. Hynes is excited about joining our department and dental school and hopes to help our efforts in integrating the dental hygiene and dental school educational and clinical programs.

“I am honored to be back at my Alma Mater to direct the dental hygiene program. My start in the dental field was in dental hygiene, and that education gave me a strong foundation of the importance of preventive dentistry and how to communicate with my patients about the oral-systemic connection. I am thrilled to be a part of that educational process to make a difference in the future of the dental hygiene profession,” she said.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Hynes (back to) UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, and be sure to give her well wishes as she takes on this new position.