Public health sciences
Dangers of vapes and e-cigs to oral health
Vaping is illegal in Dallas’ public and enclosed places, effective Dec. 11, thanks to a city ordinance that expands the city’s no-smoking zones to include the use of all electronic smoking devices. Vapes and e-cigarettes are banned where smoking is already prohibited, such as in all indoor and enclosed spaces and within 15 feet of building entrances and on park property. Read More
Pitching in to provide healthier smiles in Arlington
Texas A&M College of Dentistry partnered with TeamSmile Dec. 5 for the first time to provide dental care and oral health education at no charge to underserved children in the Arlington Independent School District. The event was at Globe Life Field, which created a sports-themed atmosphere and added to the fun, said volunteer Dr. Hoda Abdellatif, clinical associate professor in public health sciences and director of the department's Community Outreach Office. Read More
Honored for excellence in community service
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. Read More
College of Dentistry continues to support healthy smiles with MHA grant
More than 600 students in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District and some in the surrounding communities have been seen this semester, thanks to a $210,000 grant that allows Texas A&M College of Dentistry faculty and students to provide dental health education, screenings, oral health kits and oral health care, including sealants, on 10 campuses during the 2025-26 school year. That includes students in eight elementary schools and two middle schools. Read More
Have no fear: Garlic is good for teeth and gums
Garlic is believed to ward off vampires – at least in folklore. But even Dracula would love garlic’s oral health benefits. Allicin, the same sulfur compound that makes breath smell bad after someone eats garlic, helps kill harmful bacteria that cause plaque buildup and gum disease. Dr. Luz Mendoza, program manager of public health sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, said allicin, released when garlic is chopped, crushed or chewed, inactivates essential metabolic enzymes in bacteria and interferes with its ability to form biofilm that leads to oral diseases. Read More
Bringing oral health education and care to the community
The school year is in full swing, and Texas A&M College of Dentistry students are busy volunteering at community health events. Here's where they were Sept. 13: Several dental students were at Mission Arlington for a day of teeth extractions, under the supervision of Dr. Dax Sinn, an adjunct faculty member in public health sciences. Fourth-year students volunteering included Austin Bond, Youngju Oh, Adriana Vega, Armando Ferandez, Bahram Soroushi and Alix Matthew. Third-year student volunteers included Karina Perez-Estrada, Saad Mohammed, Van Nguyen and Jacob Williams. Read More