As Natalie Pfluger began her third year at the School of Dentistry, patients began returning to her chair at UT Dentistry, the clinical practice of UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio, for follow-up appointments. Between procedures, they shared stories about their families, work and life's everyday details. Those conversations confirmed something she knew when selecting a career: dentistry is more than teeth. Between cleanings and routine procedures, the career she has chosen is about earning trust and helping her community feel comfortable in a place many would rather avoid.
It’s more than dentistry; you’re connecting with people all the time.
Natalie Pfluger, School of Dentistry
A path inspired by a class of 1988 alumnus
Pfluger’s passion for patient relationships began years earlier in San Angelo, Texas, where she grew up. Frequent trips to San Antonio made the city feel like a second home, and one family member helped shape the career she pursues today. Her uncle, Richard Roberts, a 1988 graduate of the School of Dentistry, encouraged her to consider the profession and welcomed her into his practice to shadow and gain a caregiver's perspective on dentistry. That, combined with years spent as an orthodontic patient herself, revealed a career that blended science, service and community building.
After earning undergraduate degrees in chemistry and business, she arrived at UT San Antonio’s academic health center ready for the challenge of dental school. While chemistry strengthened her scientific foundation, studying business gave her an appreciation for the skills required to manage a successful practice of her own one day.
For Pfluger, the transition into clinical care in her third year has been the most rewarding part of her education.
“I’ve always known that this is what I was passionate about,” she said. “Seeing patients come back and getting to know them has reinforced that.”
Relationships that make lives better
She credits both faculty and classmates for helping her grow into a confident clinician. One lesson, in particular, has stayed with her. As someone who naturally strives for perfection, the faculty encouraged her to focus on consistency, reminding students that providing excellent care also means working efficiently while giving every patient the attention and care they deserve.
Since initially joining the School of Dentistry, her support system has gone beyond faculty. Within her care team, classmates regularly step in to answer questions, assist during challenging appointments and encourage one another through stressful days. As new students enter the clinic, she finds herself providing the same support and reassurance she once needed herself.
Outside of the classroom, Pfluger continues a commitment to service through organizations including Make-A-Wish and the Special Olympics — causes she first became involved with as an undergraduate. Whether volunteering or caring for patients, she hopes people leave feeling supported and valued in her community.
Looking ahead, Pfluger plans to practice alongside an experienced mentor before eventually opening her own dental office. Her goal is to create a welcoming environment where patients feel known and cared for.
As a 2026 Presidential Ambassador Scholarship recipient, donor support makes that future possible.
Receiving support from generous Health Excellence Circle (formerly known as the President’s Council) donors eases financial pressures and serves as a reminder that others believe in her success.
“It motivates us to continue giving back,” she said. “We’re so thankful for the investment, and we want to be able to do the same thing eventually."
With the continued support provided by her community, Pfluger’s success won’t be measured by procedures completed or a practice of her own. It will be the trust she earns from patients and colleagues, and the opportunity to one day invest in future students, just as the Health Excellence Circle donors have invested in her.
