Recent Posts
Bits and Bites – September 2026
The new school year is in full swing at Texas A&M College of Dentistry, and that includes a host of faculty promotions and new hires and important happenings. Dr. Reginald Taylor was promoted from associate professor in orthodontics to professor. He’s also director of predoctoral orthodontics and was recently accepted ...
Smiles we remember: Dr. Jun-Young Cho
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of former faculty member Dr. Jun-Young Cho, who died Wednesday, Sept. 2. Cho joined the faculty as an instructor at what was then Baylor College of Dentistry in 1968. He was appointed an assistant professor in 1972 and named an associate professor in 1977. He retired in 2022 after more than 50 years of dedicated service to the dental school.
Deadline to apply for the next dental class is Oct. 1
Students recently headed back to class for the current academic year, but Texas A&M College of Dentistry is looking ahead as deadlines approach for the dental Class of 2031 and the dental hygiene Class of 2029. Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service’s admissions portal for dental students closes Oct. 1, meaning all applicants for the dental Class of 2031 must submit all materials to be considered. Interviews began earlier this month.
Cheers: Best and worst beverages for teeth
The beverages we choose quietly shape the health of our smiles. Some drinks strengthen and protect teeth, while others slowly wear away enamel – the outer white part that keeps teeth strong, bright and resistant to cavities. Many popular beverages contain high acidity, said Dr. John Safar, clinical faculty at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas. When acidity lowers the pH in the mouth, enamel begins to dissolve. “Research shows that enamel starts to weaken below pH 5.5, and many commercial drinks fall between pH 2 and pH 4 – a range where erosion accelerates rapidly,” Safar said.
Tooth travelers: Students sharpen their skills on dental mission trips over the summer breaks
A busy dental student scheduled to graduate next May, few would fault Mackenzie “Kenzie” Bankes for heading to Jamaica for a few lazy days to enjoy sandy beaches and misty mountains. But those and even dances to the Caribbean island’s famous reggae beats had to wait. Bankes and fellow Texas A&M University College of Dentistry students traveled Aug. 1-8 on a dental mission trip to St. Elizabeth Parish and its Helping Hand Dental Clinic in the southwestern part of the country. Working with the nonprofit Christian Medical & Dental Association, they provided oral hygiene education, cleanings, fillings and tooth extractions to more than 600 underserved residents rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa last year.
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.