dental students
Program expands to add protecting senior smiles
When Dr. Amal Noureldin, clinical professor and director of the predoctoral program in public health sciences, at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, envisioned the Empowering Smiles Oral Health Initiative, it was to provide long-needed oral healthcare and education to children and teens in a few underserved schools in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. What she and her dental and dental hygiene students saw was heartbreaking. “We saw second grade-schoolers with decay so bad that the teeth were gone, only gums were left,” she said. “These are preventable conditions that no child should have to experience, which is why what we offer is so important – access to knowledge and care and the hope that early prevention can make a difference.” Supported by more than $330,000 in total funding from partner agency Metrocrest Hospital Authority, the initiative provided oral health education and care to 782 students in 13 elementary schools and middle schools in the last two years. More schools than planned. There’s more work to do. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. 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
Caring for fellow Texans
Texas A&M College of Dentistry faculty and 40 dental, dental hygiene students and graduate students joined other dental providers April 10-11 to help nonprofit Texas Mission of Mercy provide necessary dental care to members of the North Texas community. Their volunteered efforts contributed to 817 patients receiving more than $900,000 in oral health care at no charge, according to information provided by TMOM. 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
Providing dental care in Denton
Third- and fourth-year Texas A&M College of Dentistry dental students from the Student for the Light Society traveled to Denton on March 28 to provide dental extractions to patients at First Refuge Ministries' dental clinic. The clinic emphasized compassion and meeting urgent dental needs for those who often face significant barriers to care. Read More
Showing their prowess
Students and faculty represented Texas A&M College of Dentistry March 4 through March 7 at the annual Academy of Osseointegration Meeting in Washington, D.C. The academy is a global dental implant organization of more than 5,000 members from 70 countries. Read More
Practicing for the unthinkable
Many people don't think about it, but dentists are among those to respond when disasters happen. Texas A&M College of Dentistry dental students received a crash course in disaster preparedness Feb. 27 when they participated in the 18th annual Disaster Day. Organized by Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Disaster Day is the nation's largest student-led, interprofessional emergency response simulation. More than 600 students from across Texas A&M Health took part in the exercise in College Station, where they practiced their emergency response skills. Read More