skip to main content
Give

Retention Programs

These programs are designed to assist dental and dental hygiene students with successfully progress through Texas A&M College of Dentistry.

• Peer Tutoring Program

• Academic Advising

Tutoring Programs

• Peer Tutor Assisted Learning FAOs

The academic progress of dental and dental hygiene students is closely monitored at the College of Dentistry.  Students who earn less than 78% course average are contacted by the Office of Student Development, and encouraged to pursue options available to them to receive academic tutoring or advising.

About the tutoring programs

Peer Tutors
  • Second-year dental students and senior dental hygiene students are nominated by their first year course directors to be tutors.
  • Students nominated as tutors may choose the subjects they are willing to tutor.
  • Tutors are trained in teaching methods and learning styles in early September and attend short meetings throughout the year.
  • Tutoring can help the dental hygiene tutors prepare for professional board exams.
  • Methods the tutors may use while working with the students include: sharing study suggestions they found to work for them, asking questions about course material, and using or developing diagrams and drawing for memory aids.

The tutoring service is free to the students being tutored.  Tutors are paid an hourly wage and enjoy working with their peers.

Tutoring is available in the following courses:

Dental Courses:

D1 Courses:

  • 601 Biological Foundations of Dentistry
  • 602 Human Structure, Function and Disease I
  • 603 Human Structure, Function and Disease II
  • 604 Human Defenses and Responses to Infectious Disease
  • 605 Pathologic Basis of Diseases
  • 614 Introduction to Restorative Dentistry I
  • 615 Introduction to Restorative Dentistry II

Dental Hygiene Courses

DH1 Courses:

  • Oral Radiology
  • Dental Anatomy
  • Preclinical Dental Hygiene
  • Biomedical Sciences I & II
  • Microbiology

How do I arrange for a tutor?

To request a peer tutor, please contact Dr. Shaneka Marks at shanekam@tamu.edu. Dr. Marks will meet with you briefly to discuss your academic needs, and study habits prior to matching you with a peer tutor. Once matched, the tutor will contact you for the first meeting. You will schedule the remainder of your meetings as needed.

Student Mentoring by Faculty and Resident Mentoring Program

There is an opportunity to be assigned to a faculty or resident mentor during your D1- D4 and DH1 - DH2 years if you are failing a course and have been recommended by the Course Director or Department Head for this service. The courses covered include: ( Faculty mentors are only available in the Dental Hygiene Department.)

  • Biomedical Sciences courses
  • Diagnostic Sciences courses
  • Dental Hygiene courses
  • Pediatric Dentistry courses
  • Orthodontics Courses
  • Oral Surgery Courses

Test Schedules

Schedules of exams, quizzes and lab practicals are assembled and distributed to dental and dental hygiene students at the beginning of each semester.

Academic Counseling

Academic counseling is offered to College of Dentistry dental and dental hygiene students experiencing academic difficulty. Academic counseling is available to all students, regardless of their grades. They may receive counseling for the following:

  • Study skills
  • Time management
  • Organization
  • Test-taking skills
  • Reading comprehension and memory skills
  • Active study methods
  • Stress management
Students who wish to discuss their study skills individually and confidentially may contact:

Dr. Shaneka Marks
Academic Advisor
Email: shanekam@tamu.edu 

Texas A&M College of Dentistry
Office of Student Development
3302 Gaston Avenue, Rm. 365A
Dallas, TX  75246

Tutoring FAQs

Tutor Assisted FAQs

How can I prepare for my tutoring sessions?

When you make the appointment, inform your tutor about the area(s) on which to focus. Please bring any relevant materials such as text books, PowerPoint pages, worksheets, notes, handouts or other supplies you may need.  Study the material BEFORE the appointment and tell the tutor what material in unclear so the tutor can prevent spending time on issues that are not a concern for you.