17 June 2026

---

McDonald and Graham named Teachers of the Year

---

David Qin, now a rising fourth-year dental student and Dr.

Community impact

Dr. Stephen McDonald, clinical associate professor in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry at Texas A&M College of Dentistry, and Professor Chelsi Graham, clinical faculty in the dental hygiene program, were named 2026 Teachers of the Year by students. McDonald was named Dental Teacher of the Year, while Graham earned Dental Hygiene Teacher of the Year.

McDonald is a two-time recipient of the Dental Teacher of the Year Award, and he last received the honor in 2018.

A 1980 alumnus of what was then Baylor College of Dentistry, McDonald soon joined a busy dental practice as an associate. Within a year, McDonald opened his own dental office, where he practiced for almost 20 years and built a thriving restorative dentistry practice.

Why it matters

McDonald joined A&M Dentistry as a part-time instructor in 2000 and became a full-time clinical assistant professor in 2012. Since that time, he’s served as director for preclinical courses, as well as a group leader and instructor in the clinic. In addition, McDonald has been an active member of the Dallas County Dental Society, a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, and a visiting faculty member at The L.D. Pankey Institute.

“What I enjoy most about teaching is supporting students as they transition from students to professionals and finally into competent, skilled dentists,” he said. “Throughout my career, I sought out mentors to help me grow and develop my skill set. I don’t believe that we ever reach a point when there is nothing else to learn.”

He impresses on students that patients are much more than mouths full of teeth. Patients often arrive feeling concerned, fearful and in pain.

“Our job is more than just examining and diagnosing,” McDonald said. “We should first strive to learn more about our patients as people. Find out what is important to them and their most pressing concerns.”

Academic context

Being a skilled dentist doesn’t start with strong hand skills, according to McDonald. It begins with strong listening skills.

“How we treat patients reflects how we show up in the world,” he said. “Your patients won’t be able to tell if your dentistry is good or not, but they will know how you made them feel and whether you care.”

Professor Chelsea Graham, clinical faculty in the dental hygiene program

Graham is passionate about shaping the next generation of dental hygienists. She earned her bachelor’s in dental hygiene from Tyler Junior College and recently completed her master’s in educational psychology at Texas A&M University, which she said strengthened her commitment to student learning, faculty development and evidence-based education.

Graham joined A&M Dentistry in January 2023. With more than a decade of clinical experience, Graham said she brings authenticity and real-world perspective into the learning environment, helping students connect what they learn to the patients they serve.

“Teaching is not just about clinical skills; it is about helping students grow into confident, capable professionals who believe in themselves,” she said. “I find the greatest joy in watching that moment when things begin to click, when a student gains confidence, trusts their judgment and starts to see themselves as a clinician. Being part of that transformation is what continues to inspire me every day.”

She aims to create a supportive and encouraging environment while also challenging students to think critically, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their learning. Graham said the most meaningful learning happens when students feel both supported and pushed to grow, and she strives to strike that balance in every clinical interaction.

Her commitment to teaching extends beyond the clinic through her involvement in leadership and professional service. She serves as president of Dental Hygiene Educators of Texas and has served as a Dallas Dental Hygiene Society delegate on the state level for the past three years. She also served as student oral research presentation chair for the 2025 and 2026 Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Session events, helping support student research and encouraging engagement within the profession.

Graham also contributes to advancing dental hygiene through research, such as serving as a co-investigator on a randomized clinical trial focused on the prevention of radiation tooth decay by using silver diamine fluoride. The findings were presented recently at the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research in San Diego, California.

Graham said at the heart of her work is a genuine love for teaching and a deep commitment to students.

Graham said she considers it a privilege to be part of her students’ journeys and is honored to contribute to a profession that inspires her passion.

Source: https://insights.dentistry.tamu.edu/mcdonald-and-graham-named-2026-teachers-of-the-year