A fond farewell to four long-serving dental faculty and alumni

Kristen Zapata

August 16, 2022

In July, four outstanding and long-serving faculty members announced their plans to retire from the School of Dentistry’s Department of Comprehensive Dentistry. The department celebrated their distinguished service to academia in a retirement event on July 20 at the Center for Oral Health Care and Research.

David R. Cox, DDS, associate professor of general dentistry and 1980 alumnus, joined the faculty in 2010 and quickly positioned himself as a leader of service within the school. He championed a 2015 initiative to raise $100,000 for the Center for Oral Health Care and Research’s third-floor reception area. He has also been a steadfast member of the Admissions Selection Sub-committee for the past nine years. As General Practice Group 8 leader, Dr. Cox has been recognized by his former students and colleagues for his excellence in teaching, receiving awards from the San Antonio District Dental Society and by this school’s own Faculty Assembly.

Mark L. LittleStar, DDS, clinical assistant professor of general dentistry and 1983 alumnus, worked his way from a United States Navy staff dentist to the dental director at Ford Island Clinic in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After leaving the Navy, Dr. LittleStar enjoyed a few years in private practice then returned to the school in 1999 as an operative dentistry faculty member. He was appointed as assistant dean of patient care in 2015 for the newly built Center for Oral Health Care and Research, a position dedicated to safeguarding optimal clinical care and educational experiences. Dr. LittleStar has been an instrumental influence on the school’s clinical enterprise and curriculum management, as well as in his role as General Practice Group 5 leader.

Kay H. Malone, DDS, clinical assistant professor of general dentistry and 1983 alumnus, returned to the school in 2013 following 25 years of service with the United States Army. The retired Colonel Malone volunteered as a preclinical faculty member. A year later, he was teaching all first- and second-year dental students in preclinical lab and by 2018, Dr. Malone was appointed as director of admissions, leading the charge on the creation and diversification of the last four dental classes. He stepped down from the directorship earlier this year to enjoy more time teaching in the preclinical lab.

Tam T. Van, DDS, clinical associate professor of geriatric dentistry and 1997 alumna, rejoined the school in 2007 after serving as a United States Air Force dentist and pursuing her interests in community health by leading dental care at the Daughters of Charity Services of San Antonio. For the past 15 years, Dr. Van has dedicated herself to the school’s geriatric practice by introducing dental students to the compassionate care of medically compromised elderly patients. She has served on numerous School of Dentistry committees throughout her tenure, lending her expertise to discussions on clinical quality assurance, dental education outreach, faculty promotion, tenure and initial appointments.

Please join the School of Dentistry in thanking each of these individuals for the countless contributions they have made toward the advancement of the vision: To be the leading academic oral health institution.