Awards
Plemons nominated for Texas Dentist of the Year
Dr. Jacqueline M. Plemons, clinical professor in periodontics and the inaugural executive director of external affairs at Texas A&M College of Dentistry, was recently selected as an at-large nominee for Texas Academy of General Dentistry’s Texas Dentist of the Year Award. There are 16 nominees, and the award is considered among the most prestigious honors a Texas dentist can earn. Plemons and other honorees will be recognized Sept. 18 in Austin, when the winner is announced at what is billed as Texas Academy Awards during the Lone Star Dental Conference. Read More
Bits and Bites – July 2026
Here's a roundup of some recent news about faculty, students and alums of Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas. Read More
Bits and Bites – June 2026
Welcome to the inaugural Bits and Bites, a collection of some recent news items around Texas A&M College of Dentistry. Read More
DCDS honors for Glenn and Spence
Drs. Gayle Glenn, clinical associate professor in orthodontics and graduate orthodontic clinic director, and Alicia Spence, clinical assistant professor in comprehensive dentistry and director of recruitment and admissions at Texas A&M College of Dentistry, were honored by Dallas County Dental Society as Dentist of the Year and Texas A&M College of Dentistry Faculty Member of the Year, respectively. Read More
Bankes earns AGD scholarship
The Academy of General Dentistry recently awarded Mackenzie "Kenzie" Bankes, a rising fourth-year dental student at Texas A&M College of Dentistry, the Dr. Chethan and Avani Chetty Scholarship. The scholarship will support Bankes in attending AGD's Annual Scientific Session, a continuing education event in general dentistry. AGD2026 will be June 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Read More
McDonald and Graham named Teachers of the Year
Dr. Stephen McDonald, clinical associate professor in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry at Texas A&M College of Dentistry, and Chelsi Graham, clinical assistant professor, in the dental hygiene program, were named 2026 Teachers of the Year by students. McDonald was named Dental Teacher of the Year, while Graham earned Dental Hygiene Teacher of the Year. Read More
Pinned for success
Soon-to-graduate dental hygiene students at Texas A&M College of Dentistry were honored May 8 for their accomplishments. They received pins and awards, marking the end of their coursework and the beginning of their careers. All 30 are scheduled to graduate May 22 and are expected to be licensed in late June. Read More
Double wins, double grins
Dr. Joshua Allen, oral pathology graduate student and graduate assistant in diagnostic sciences at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, has multiple reasons to smile. He was recently awarded both the prestigious Shafer Award from the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and A&M Dentistry’s annual Clinical Graduate Research Award. Allen also graduates May 22 with a master’s in oral biology and a certificate in oral and maxillofacial pathology. Read More
Tadlock earns prestigious Brophy Award
Dr. Larry P. Tadlock, head of orthodontics at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, received the James E. Brophy Award April 30 at the American Association of Orthodontists’ annual session in Orlando, Florida. The award is given annually to an orthodontist who renders distinguished service to orthodontics and the AAO. Tadlock, a graduate of the then-Baylor College of Dentistry Class of 1984, served as general chair of the 2022 AAO Annual Session. He also served as director of the American Board of Orthodontics from 2011 to 2020 and was ABO president from 2018 to 2019. Read More
Researching for a healthier future
Students from all over Texas A&M College of Dentistry shared their latest research at the 51st Annual Student Scholars and Research Day on April 1. Led by Dr. L. Bruno Ruest, associate professor in biomedical sciences, and a team of faculty and staff, students presented topics ranging from the cost of social media on smiles to tooth movement with aligner changes. “Throughout this experience, I’ve learned the importance of clinical research in advancing the knowledge used to deliver the best possible care to patients," said Grayson Jennings, second-year dental student. "Research Scholars Day allows us to showcase the contributions of students, mentors and the College of Dentistry in pioneering health care innovation.” Read More