Recent Posts
White coats: Symbols of new students’ commitments
They studied hard and aced their entrance exams and interviews to gain admission to dental school or the dental hygiene program. Then, 134 students who are part of Texas A&M College of Dentistry's Dental Class of 2030 and Dental Hygiene Class of 2028 gathered together Aug. 7 to don their white coats. It's an annual tradition called White Coat Ceremony.
Bits and Bites – August 2026
Here's a roundup of some of news around Texas A&M College of Dentistry. Dr. Liang Hong, head of public health sciences, recently shared that more than 10,000 people received oral health education from A&M Dentistry students and faculty during the 2025-26 school year. There were 480 dental screenings conducted at oral health fairs.
Remember to visit the dentist before school starts
School bells will ring again across Texas soon. As families make their to-do lists for supplies and new clothes, scheduling dental appointments for the entire family should be a priority too. Dr. John Safar, clinical faculty in comprehensive dentistry at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, said a healthy smile is essential for a successful school year.
Partnering to save a smile
Like many 9-year-olds, Xavier Quintero Altuve’s summer vacation involves playing with friends, watching television and maybe hanging out at a pool. Great opportunities for grins. But Xavier has more reasons to smile. His healthy mouth is a gift from Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas and partner Metrocrest Hospital Authority in Carrollton.
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.
Smiles we remember: Laurette Lipson
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of former College of Dentistry employee Laurette Lipson, who died July 16, one month before her 99th birthday. Lipson joined what was then Baylor College of Dentistry in 1981 after being recruited by former dean Dr. Richard E. Bradley to serve as professor and chair of educational services. She earned a master's degree in nursing education, with an emphasis in administration, from the University of Pittsburgh. She also completed a special assignment at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, and served as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Giving back: New graduates become leaders of summer programs that helped them succeed
Drs. Britni Duffie, program aide in student affairs at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, and Dawn Miller McElroy, formerly a program aide, smile when someone mentions they’re new Class of 2026 dentists. They worked hard to earn dental degrees, and both have gold stars in perseverance.
College of Dentistry’s new website launches today
As part of its longstanding commitment to both educate dentistry’s professionals of the future and provide top-quality oral healthcare in North Texas, Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas launched its redesigned website today. Texas A&M University College of Dentistry includes easy-to-find patient information, additional oral health resources, updated biographies, and more user-friendly contact information.
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.
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.
Smile, you’re in demand: Dental hygienists find a friendly job market but limited benefits
Meet your next dental hygienists. The 30 newest graduates of Texas A&M College of Dentistry’s dental hygiene program earned both their dental hygiene pins and diplomas last month. They are now days away from their first opportunity to receive state licenses – golden tickets to enter a career so in demand that nearly two in five dentists surveyed nationwide reported their practices didn’t have adequate numbers of dental hygienists.
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.