Marshall Jones Jr., a dental hygiene student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, is proof that it is never too late to pursue a new dream. Jones was working as a UT Health Science Center Campus Police officer when his childhood interest in dentistry was reawakened. Seeing dental students interact with patients and hone their skills, he began to picture himself in their shoes. While on patrol in the College of Dentistry buildings one evening, Jones assisted Associate Dean Orpheus Triplett, DDS, who had misplaced his ID card and needed building access. In their conversation, Dr. Triplett urged Jones to pursue his interest.
Now in his second year in the UT Health Science Center Dental Hygiene program, Jones has learned to balance his schoolwork and being the father of a toddler. In addition to the support he has received from his professors, he has leaned on his younger classmates to reinvigorate his outlook on learning, saying, “Sometimes I’ll be really tired, but the younger students in the college are so excited and so enthusiastic, and it rubs off on me. It’s refreshing to be around people who have so many goals in life.” After graduating in 2026, Jones plans to work in underserved communities to make dental care more accessible to everyone. He also hopes his presence will inspire children, especially boys, to see dental hygiene as a career option.
Read more at https://news.uthsc.edu/former-campus-police-officer-follows-renewed-passion-for-dental-care/.
