Our People
Plemons named 2026 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 named 2026 Texas Dentist of the Year by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry. She was chosen from among 16 nominees, and the award is considered among the most prestigious honors a Texas dentist can earn. Plemons and other honorees were recognized Friday at the Texas Academy Awards ceremony during the Lone Star Dental Conference in Austin. Read More
Taylor accepted as a Fellow of the American Dental Education Association Council of Deans
Dr. Reginald Taylor, associate professor and director of predoctoral orthodontics at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, was recently accepted into the American Dental Education Association Council of Deans Fellowship Program for 2026-27. The program helps future leaders succeed as deans or other high-level university administrators. Taylor is A&M Dentistry’s first Fellow of the council. 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
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
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
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
Crump named secretary/treasurer of American Academy of Periodontology
Dr. Brad Crump, an adjunct clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Dentistry’s periodontics department, was recently elected secretary/treasurer of the American Academy of Periodontology, a one-year term, ascending to the role of president over the next four years. The organization represents nearly 7,500 periodontists. Read More
Henderson tapped to chair the state’s dental board
Dr. Bryan Henderson II, a dentist anesthesiologist and adjunct professor in Texas A&M College of Dentistry’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, was recently appointed chair of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners by Gov. Greg Abbott. The board regulates the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene and other dental-related professions. Read More
A trio of Fellows
Texas A&M College of Dentistry faculty members Drs. Nina Ray (left), Lara Coseo (center) and Elham Ighani (right), were inducted as Fellows into the International College of Dentists at a ceremony Sept. 13 in San Diego, California. Read More