Faculty and Staff
Lacy says farewell to full-time status at Texas A&M College of Dentistry after more than 30 years
Dr. Ernestine Lacy, professor and associate dean for student affairs at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, has the heart of a teacher. In fact, she spent 17 years as a high school math and science teacher, first in the Birmingham Public School District in Alabama, where she grew up, and then at Fort Worth Independent School District’s O.D. Wyatt High School and in Buffalo Independent School District. 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
End of an era: Miller will retire May 31 after more than 50 years at Texas A&M College of Dentistry
If anyone needs a new smile or a history lesson about Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, Dr. Amp W. Miller III, professor and director of comprehensive dentistry, can provide both. The prosthodontist spent decades restoring and replacing missing and damaged teeth, and even longer studying and teaching dentistry. Now, after 53 years as an A&M Dentistry faculty member and four years before that as a dental student at then-Baylor College of Dentistry, Miller will say goodbye to everyone on the Gaston Avenue campus. Miller will officially retire effective May 31 – his 79th birthday. Read More
Public health sciences department shows at NOHC
Faculty and a resident student at Texas A&M College of Dentistry Department of Public Health Sciences attended the National Oral Health Conference (NOHC) 2026, held earlier this month in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Themed “Unveiling Oral Health Possibilities,” the conference highlighted innovation, collaboration and strategies to advance oral health equity and population health. Read More
Welcome to dentistry
Texas A&M College of Dentistry’s Student National Dental Association hosted Impressions Day on Saturday, Feb. 28. The annual event serves as an opportunity to introduce students interested in pursuing a career in dentistry to the college’s standards of academic excellence, research and community-centered care and service. 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
Dechow elected as an AAAS Fellow
Dr. Paul C. Dechow, Regents professor emeritus in biomedical sciences at Texas A&M College of Dentistry, was recently elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was one of 449 members named as a 2025 Honorary Fellow, the association stated in a press release issued last month. Read More
Tatakis named head of periodontics
After a national search, Dr. Dimitris N. Tatakis is the new head of periodontics at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas. Dr. Deborah M. Foyle, who served as interim head of periodontics, will assist Tatakis before assuming another high-level position at A&M Dentistry. Tatakis started Feb. 2 and came to ... Read More
Plemons named inaugural executive director of external affairs
Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas recently named Dr. Jacqueline Plemons as the inaugural executive director of external affairs. In her role, Plemons, a longtime clinical professor and director of Stomatology, will identify and cultivate collaborative opportunities between the 120-year-old dental college and the broader community, including other institutions, businesses, community care organizations and practicing dentists across the state. She will ensure each opportunity aligns with the dental college’s mission to provide academic excellence, trailblazing research and community-centered care and service. Plemons will develop operational guidelines when reviewing affiliation agreements in support of the dental school’s programs. Read More
Tahmasbi receives 40 Under 40 nod from Incisal Edge
Better reading of dental radiographic images leads to healthier patients, according to Dr. Mehrnaz Tahmasbi, clinical associate professor and radiology predoctoral program director at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas. She’s working to ensure tomorrow’s dentists see ailments more clearly. A&M Dentistry’s dental students, like many of their counterparts worldwide, traditionally learn about head and neck anatomy primarily using two-dimensional images. A&M Dentistry’s fourth-year students also have the privilege to observe cone beam computed tomography three-dimensional imaging during their clinical rotations, and Tahmasbi is working to add formal CBCT education to the predoctoral curriculum. “I want to enhance students’ understanding of three-dimensional anatomy and imaging concepts relevant to procedures such as implant placement, endodontic surgery and extractions,” said Tahmasbi, a dentist and maxillofacial radiologist, of the CBCT technology now used in many dental practices. Her teaching endeavors, work at A&M Dentistry’s Imaging Center and research in diagnostic sciences, as well as her dental imaging reading services for BeamReaders, were recognized by editors and peers when she was named to Incisal Edge magazine’s 2025 Top 40 Under 40 dental specialists. Read More