Honored for excellence in community service
Students Youngju Oh and Austin Bond
Fourth-year dental students Austin Bond and Youngju Oh at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas recently received Texas Mission of Mercy Awards. Each student was recognized for active participation in Texas Mission of Mercy’s oral health events and for their commitment to community engagement and service.
Texas Mission of Mercy is a charitable dental program that provides dental care at no charge to underserved Texans through volunteer efforts. TMOM events statewide bring together dental professionals, students and community partners to deliver essential treatment and restore smiles of those in need, said Dr. Hoda Abdellatif, clinical associate professor of public health sciences and director of the Community Outreach Office.
She added that recognition of the students’ efforts reflects a strong commitment of the office, which provides A&M Dentistry’s students with many opportunities to serve and lead.
Abdellatif is a member of TMOM’s board of directors.
Dr. Lily T. García, dean of A&M Dentistry, praised Bond and Oh and encouraged them to stay focused on using their talents as a force for good, in line with A&M Dentistry’s mission.
Bond said TMOM is one of the reasons he fell in love with dentistry.
“Giving back to those who desperately need help is a truly fulfilling experience that has shaped both my growth as a provider and as a person,” he said.
Oh said her work with TMOM and other community service, made her realize community service in dentistry is about more than clinical treatment.
“It is about helping people restore confidence and find their happiness,” she said.