Dr. Lily T. García, dean of Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, was celebrated Aug. 21 as one of Dallas Business Journal’s Women in Business honorees this year. García, who’s also a prosthodontist, was among 30 North Texas women chosen from more than 280 nominees.
DBJ selected the winners with the assistance of a judging panel of past recipients. The women were selected based on their contributions to their organizations and the community.
“I am honored to have Texas A&M University College of Dentistry recognized through this award among so many amazing organizations and businesses in Dallas,” García said. “The recognition is based on our staff and faculty who work diligently to educate the next generation of health professionals, many of whom will contribute as business owners in the North Texas Region.”
García became the 17th dean in October 2022 and recently received recognition on behalf of the College of Dentistry’s growth in research initiatives, including the most recent agreement with Shear Kershman Laboratories and Innovative MedTech Inc. to study the treatment of oral thrush, a fungal infection, in cancer patients.
Offering 10 dental specialties, A&M Dentistry is the largest oral health provider in North Texas. After her arrival, García, also an alumna of the dental college, immediately started recruiting top faculty. That includes recognized leaders in pain research, public health sciences, biomedical sciences, endodontics and comprehensive dentistry in the last year or so.
Recruiting top talent at all levels is essential to attract the best students, she said. A&M Dentistry is known for educating dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists with strong clinical expertise. Nearly one-third of all dentists in Texas are graduates of the dental college; many opt to practice in North Texas, and so do the college’s dental hygiene program graduates.
A&M Dentistry boasts 587 students, including those in dental, dental hygiene, graduate science programs and dental specialties.