After a national search, Dr. Dimitris N. Tatakis is the new head of periodontics at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas. Dr. Deborah M. Foyle, who served as interim head of periodontics, will assist Tatakis before assuming another high-level position at A&M Dentistry.
Tatakis started Feb. 2 and came to A&M Dentistry from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was a visiting professor in the periodontics department. He was a tenured professor at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in Columbus, where he led the advanced education program in periodontics, and was a consultant to the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, Maryland.
He’s a director of the American Board of Periodontology, a member of the CODA Periodontics Review Committee and an editorial board member of several biomedical publications.
“His record of research and scholarship, as well as his record of service, represents a lifelong commitment to excellence in our profession, contributing to his national and international reputation,” said Dr. Lily T. García, A&M Dentistry dean.
Tatakis said he plans to build on the periodontics department’s strong foundation.
“Texas A&M has an accomplished group of people and a bold vision,” he said. “There is a tremendous opportunity for our department to continue advancing its excellence, and I look forward to supporting that growth.”
He’s held faculty positions at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in Kentucky and the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in California, where he attained tenure. Tatakis earned his dental degree from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece and a certificate in periodontology and a doctorate in oral biology from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
Inspired by a strong interest in biology that began during his high school years in Greece, Tatakis has built a career focused on understanding biological mechanisms and addressing clinically relevant scientific questions. He’s dedicated his professional life in dentistry to advancing academic inquiry and educating the next generation of periodontists.
“When you’ve seen people struggle with serious dental problems, you come to appreciate how profoundly dentistry can help – by relieving pain, restoring comfort and function and improving quality of life,” he said.
Periodontics, which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the tissues that support and surround the teeth and dental implants, appealed to Tatakis because of its strong foundation in biology and its clear alignment with his interest in surgical practice.
“The public should know that good periodontal health, or lack thereof, can have a significant impact on a person’s systemic health,” he said. “Periodontists can really make a difference.”
Plaque and tartar can build up where teeth and gums meet when proper dental hygiene is not followed, often causing gums to swell and bleed. Left untreated, the gum tissues and bone around teeth begin to break down. Periodontitis affects about 42% of adults over 30 in the U.S., according to the American Dental Association.
Tatakis said he plans to strategically expand the faculty and strengthen the department’s research enterprise to position the program as a national leader in periodontics. He also aims to elevate resident training to ensure graduates are exceptionally well prepared to meet the evolving demands of the profession.