Department of Periodontics

The Department of Periodontics at Texas A&M University School of Dentistry provides instruction in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth to dental and dental hygiene students and postdoctoral/graduate students.

Departmental faculty provide students with the knowledge and clinical skills to diagnose and treat patients with periodontal disease. This is accomplished through didactic and pre-clinical instruction, followed by clinical treatment of a diverse patient population with gingivitis and chronic periodontitis.

Areas of Instruction

  • Periodontal anatomy

  • Etiology – pathogenesis and host-response in periodontal disease

  • Periodontal diagnosis, treatment planning and prognosis

  • Periodontal instrumentation

  • Periodontal surgical techniques

  • Clinical crown lengthening

  • Periodontal medicine

  • Periodontal maintenance

  • Referral of patients to the periodontal specialist.

Advanced Training

The Advanced Training Program in Periodontics was started in 1955 and accounts for many specialty leaders among alumni. Graduate students who successfully complete the three-year curriculum and defend a master’s or doctoral thesis research, are awarded a certificate in periodontics.

Department Centers

The Department of Periodontics hosts not only undergraduate and graduate programs, but also highlights international programs with South Korea and Mexico, includes a Stomatology Center, and provides a home for the clinical, transitional, and basic research programs of the Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis.

The International Program offers one-year and two-year international fellowships for visiting clinical scholars to receive instruction in periodontics (first year) and prosthodontics (second year).

The Clinical Center for Stomatology provides a world-class opportunity for the study and management of a diverse group of stomatological disorders, including salivary dysfunction, lichen planus, and other malfunctions of the oral mucosa.

The Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis is an umbrella for a number of research activities related to healthy and diseased periodontal tissues and other areas of research in the orofacial region.

Current programs focus on periodontal development and regeneration and are funded by the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research. Clinical and translational programs focus on minimally invasive surgery, peri-implantitis, and alveolar ridge augmentation.

Other areas of research in the Center focus on periodontal evolution, tooth enamel, and temporo-mandibular joint disorders.

Department Affiliations

The department is affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center, which is part of Baylor Scott & White Health. Dermatology Residents rotate through the Stomatology Center as a part of their training. Departmental faculty engage in funded research programs, primarily in areas of salivary dysfunction, stomatology, periodontics, and dental implants.

Abraham, Celeste M, Clinical Associate Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Howard University, 1988

Cho, Jun Y, Clinical Associate Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Seoul National University, Korea, 1961

Crump, Thomas B, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1997

Diekwisch, Thomas G, Professor
Periodontics
DMD, Philipps-University of Marburg, West Germany, 1986

Ezzo, Paul J, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Periodontics
PHD, Baylor College of Dentistry, 2000
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1983

Gopinath, Gokul, Research Assistant Professor
Periodontics
PHD, Manipal University, India, 2010

Harrel, Stephen K, Adjunct Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1972

Hegde, Rashmi, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Bangalore University, India, 1999

Kapoor, Rishika, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Texas A&M University, 2014

Lin, Ju Ying, Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, National Yang-Ming University, 2005

Luan, Xianghong, Professor
Periodontics
MD, Harbin Medical University, 1983

Pandya, Mirali, Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2019

Parra Carrasquer, Carlos, Clinical Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 2009

Plemons, Jacqueline M, Clinical Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1986

Regan, Deborah, Clinical Associate Professor
Periodontics
DDS, University of Dublin Trinity College, 1982

Seifikar, Shahrooz, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Periodontics
DDS, Texas A&M, 2006