Office of Community Outreach
The Department of Public Health Sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry oversees community outreach activities. The department provides a diverse range of programs including clinical treatment, oral health promotion and education and career-education programs.
our programs
Community Outreach at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry supports the college’s mission to improve oral health, serve vulnerable and underserved populations, and prepare socially responsible dental professionals. Overseen by the Department of Public Health Sciences, the program delivers education, screenings, preventive services, and clinical care throughout Dallas and surrounding communities. Through these initiatives, students gain meaningful, hands‑on experience while addressing real population health needs across diverse community settings. The Community Outreach Office also supports access to subsidized dental care for patients receiving treatment at the College of Dentistry clinics who are unable to afford or complete care through public and private funding sources.
Community Outreach Projects
Tooth TalksOral Health Education
Tooth Talks is an interactive oral health education program designed to promote lifelong preventive behaviors across the lifespan. Dental students deliver age‑appropriate presentations to elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as to teen mom programs, colleges and universities, senior centers, and corporate, civic, and employee groups. Educational content focuses on preventive dentistry, oral hygiene practices, nutrition and oral health, and the prevention of caries and oral disease. Presentations are conducted at schools, community organizations, and professional venues under faculty guidance.
Community Health Fairs
Dental students participate in public and corporate community health fairs by providing oral health screenings, oral cancer screenings for adults, and preventive education and counseling. These events are hosted at a wide range of venues, including churches, temples, mosques, schools, civic centers, and corporate sites throughout the community. All outreach activities are supervised by licensed dentists to ensure high standards of patient care while offering valuable educational experiences for students.
Community Clinics
Students engage in clinical rotations and volunteer‑based experiences at affiliated community clinics, where they deliver care under faculty supervision. Partner sites include Dr. M.C. Cooper Dental Clinic, Now‑Forward (formerly North Dallas Shared Ministries), Dental Health Arlington (DHA), and Mission Arlington. Services provided at these clinics include comprehensive dental treatment, examinations and preventive care, and oral cancer screenings. These experiences expose students to public health dentistry and reinforce the college’s commitment to community‑based care.
Community‑Based Sealant Program
The Community‑Based Sealant Program is a cornerstone prevention initiative focused on reducing caries risk among underserved children. Established in 1999 with support from a private foundation, the program has a long history of expanding access to preventive dental services for school‑aged children in Dallas County. Each year, the program places more than 3,500 dental sealants and serves over 2,500 children through school‑ and community‑based settings. Currently supported by the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, the program continues to emphasize prevention and early intervention as key components of oral health.
Special Outreach Events
Students and faculty participate in high‑impact regional and statewide outreach efforts, including the Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM), Texas Team Smile, and the Dallas Mayor’s Back‑to‑School Fair. These special events enable the college community to provide care to large numbers of individuals while addressing urgent and unmet oral health needs.
Community Preceptor Program
The Community Preceptor Program includes selective elective courses offered through the Department of Public Health Sciences, including DDDS 098 – Private Practice/Public Health Preceptorship and DDDS 099 – Community Clinics/Public Health Preceptorship. Third‑ and fourth‑year dental students complete their rotations in private practices and community clinics across Texas. These experiences provide real‑world exposure to diverse practice settings and patient populations while supporting students’ professional development.
Extramural Clinics
The Department of Public Health Sciences supports extramural clinics that serve as vital access points for oral health care while providing essential clinical training for dental students. Through partnerships with community‑based dental clinics in the Dallas area, students deliver comprehensive care to underserved populations under faculty supervision.
Now-Forward2875 Merrell Road | (214) 358-8729
Now‑Forward provides comprehensive dental care to economically disadvantaged residents of the City of Dallas. Through its partnership with Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, students gain hands‑on clinical experience while delivering essential oral health services under faculty supervision.
Dr. M.C. Cooper Clinic4542 Scyene Road | (214) 370-7260
The DR. M.C. Cooper Dental Clinic serves residents of South Dallas by offering accessible, community‑based dental care. As an extramural training site of the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, the clinic supports student learning through supervised clinical experiences focused on comprehensive dental treatment and preventive care for patients.