Dr. Joe Vela, DDS, PhD

Dr. Joe Vela was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. After high school, he attended Baylor University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. His undergraduate studies sparked a fascination with the science of pain and pharmacology, ultimately leading him to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

At UTHSCSA, Dr. Vela studied peripheral pain mechanisms under the mentorship of internationally recognized clinician-scientist Dr. Kenneth Hargreaves, Professor of Pharmacology and Chair of Endodontics. Recognizing the natural connection between Dr. Vela’s research and the clinical management of dental pain, Dr. Hargreaves encouraged him to pursue endodontics and apply his scientific background directly to patient care.  Dr. Vela became only the second student at UTHSCSA to successfully complete the combined DDS/PhD program in Pharmacology. His research in orofacial pain was supported by a prestigious grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), and he was selected as a finalist for the AADR/J.J. Hatton Award. Throughout his training, he received numerous additional honors recognizing his work in oral biology, pharmacology, and pain research.  Following dental school, Dr. Vela continued his specialty training in the Endodontic Residency Program at the University of Iowa, where he further integrated his scientific background with the clinical practice of endodontics. His research was supported by NIH T32 and F32 fellowships as well as funding from the American Association of Endodontists. He was also selected to serve on the AAE Scientific Affairs Committee.

Today, Dr. Vela sees patients at Endodontic Associates of Iowa’s Mount Pleasant and Hiawatha (Apex Endodontics) locations and serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Endodontics at the University of Iowa. In this role, he provides clinical instruction to dental students and endodontic residents and lectures on pain mechanisms and management. He has also presented numerous continuing education courses on endodontic treatment, pain management, and patient care.  Dr. Vela’s background as both a clinician and scientist gives him a unique perspective on endodontic care. His goal is to provide exceptional treatment using advanced technology and modern techniques while making each patient’s experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. He believes outstanding endodontic care extends beyond simply treating the tooth—it requires understanding the biology of pain, anticipating and minimizing discomfort, and caring for the person behind the procedure.

Outside of endodontics, Joe is married to Dr. Kaci Vela, an orthodontist and owner of Orthodontic Associates of Iowa. Together, they enjoy spending time with family, traveling, and pursuing their various business ventures. Joe also has a lifelong passion for aviation and is a commercial pilot, holding both single-engine and multi-engine commercial ratings as well as multiple jet type ratings. Flying allows the Velas to combine their love of travel and exploring the country with the flexibility to remain actively involved in their businesses.