Latrice R. Foster, DDS, MPH, MSD - Director of HPDAS

Dr. Latrice R. Foster is the founder and director of the Houston Pediatric Dental Assistant School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Howard University in Washington, DC. She studied Health Education & Communication and received the Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Epidemiology from Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine. She earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Howard University College of Dentistry where she graduated in the top 10 of her class, served as Student Council President, Community Service Chairperson, American Dental Education Association ADCFP fellow, and received the Dental Student Summer Research Award which allowed her the opportunity to study at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through which she won numerous awards for her work in the areas of craniofacial research.

Dr. Foster completed two years of residency in Pediatric Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University where she focused on the dental needs of infants, adolescents, teens, and patients with special health care needs. At the completion of her program, Dr. Foster was awarded a Master of Science degree in Dentistry for her research project entitled “Oral Health Status of Children enrolled in the Child Health Investment Program of Roanoke Valley.” In 2011, she was awarded Diplomate status by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, which is the highest honor achieved by a pediatric dentist.

She is a member of Texas Dental Association, Greater Houston Dental Society, National Dental Association, Charles A. George Dental Society, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Houston Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Study Laser Club, and the International Association of Tongue-Tie Professionals. She is also on medical staff at Texas Children’s Hospital.

She has a wealth of knowledge in infant oral health, preventative dentistry, special health care needs, dental anxiety, and early orthodontics. Dr. Foster’s passion for teaching and mentoring led to her decision to develop Houston’s first pediatric dental assistant school!