Dr. Kathy O’Keefe is a lifetime Houstonian (and Bellaire native). She graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics with a Bachelors Degree in Biology in 1981. Four years later, she received her DDS degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at the Houston School of Dentistry and began her career in academics. During her tenure at UTSD, she taught in clinic and laboratory settings, lectured, mentored students, and along the way obtained her MS degree in Oral Biomaterials. Subsequently, she conducted research on adhesive and restorative dentistry, and has published many articles and presented research results both nationally and internationally. Dr. O’Keefe retired from the faculty as a Tenured Associate Professor at the UT School of Dentistry in 2006, after a 20-year academic career. In 2006, Dr. O’Keefe began the second phase of her career as a full time Associate General Dentist at Dentists on Dorrington Street, a practice in the Medical Center area of Houston, Texas. She practiced there for 21 years. She is passionate about patient care and education, and enjoys getting to know her patients individually, and helping them feel comfortable in the dental chair. She is very excited to join Contemporary Dental and to work in her hometown of Bellaire, Texas with Dr. Vaughan.
In addition to her academic and clinical careers, Dr. O’Keefe has been involved in organized dentistry. She is currently President-Elect of the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Dental Society, Delegate to the TDA, member of TDA and ADA, and a founding member of one of the Houston chapters of the Seattle Study Club. Dr. O’Keefe retains a position at UTSD as an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, lecturing there as invited.
In her spare time, Dr. O’Keefe enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering at church, cooking, needlework, sailing, and being an avid Houston sports fan.
