School of Dentistry alumni and faculty honored by Texas Academy of General Dentistry

Each year, the Texas Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) selects one dentist to honor as the Texas Dentist of the Year and one as the Texas New Dentist of the Year. Both awards are considered the highest honors a Texas dentist can receive. Nominees are chosen throughout the state from local societies and components of the Texas Dental Association and Texas AGD.

At the Texas Academy Awards event held in Austin on September 12, 2025, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry alumnus Sam Asthana, DDS, FAGD, Class of 2020, was named the 2025 Texas New Dentist of the Year. The Texas New Dentist of the Year award began in 2009 to recognize emerging leaders in dentistry. The 2024 Texas New Dentist of the Year award winner was also a School of Dentistry alumnus, Varun P. Joseph, DDS, MA, MBA, Class of 2017. 

“This award really means the world to me. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate it. Even to be nominated felt like a huge honor. The award feels special to me, not just because it’s an honor, but because of everybody involved. My colleagues in Houston who nominated me, the other nominees this year, and all the dentists who have won this in years past are people I admire and respect so much. This means a lot coming from them,” said Asthana.

Award nominees were also recognized during the Texas Academy Awards event. All nominees and their nominating organizations are recognized in the TexasGP, the Texas Academy Awards program and promotions and press releases.

Jon Dossett, DMD, FACD, MAGD, assistant professor, clinical in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry and Texas Dentist of the Year in 2023, was announced as the President of the Texas AGD Board of Directors, starting in October. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Texas AGD and leads the organization's mission and purposes, develops and implements organizational strategic planning and goal setting, assesses and measures organizational performance and resources, and ensures the organization’s fiduciary, legal and ethical integrity.

Dossett was previously vice-chair of Texas AGD’s Education Committee and has served in the Colorado AGD and Colorado Dental Association. He has experience and service to multiple national and international dental organizations, including the American Board of General Dentistry, the American Dental Educators Association, and the Academy of Operative Dentistry. 

Congratulations to Dr. Sam Asthana on being named the 2025 Texas New Dentist of the Year, and to Dr. Jon Dossett on his appointment as President of the Texas AGD Board of Directors. These remarkable achievements exemplify the leadership, dedication and excellence fostered by the School of Dentistry.