AUSTIN, Texas – Nina Leifeste, DDS, FAGD of Orange, Texas has been nominated by the Dental Society of Southeast Texas for the Texas Academy of General Dentistry’s (Texas AGD) Texas Dentist of the Year^TM Award. This award is considered the most prestigious honor a Texas dentist can earn.

Dr. Leifeste is one of only 15 dentists nominated for this year’s award. She and the other nominees will be honored at the Texas Academy Awards on Friday, September 22, during Texas AGD’s annual Lone Star Dental Conference in Austin, Texas. Each nominee will be recognized and will receive an engraved plaque. The Texas Academy Awards will conclude with the announcement of the 2017 Texas Dentist of the Year^TM and the presentation of the trophy to the winner.

Dr. Leifeste received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston in 1988. Immediately following graduation, she dedicated herself to organized dentistry by becoming a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association. Dr. Leifeste is a part of the Review Panel for the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and the Advisory Counsel for University of Texas School of Dentistry.

“I can attest to her qualifications for this prestigious honor for which she is being considered,” said Dennis Powell, District Judge of 163^rd Judicial District. “I have observed first hand her unwavering commitment to her family, profession and her community in spite of tremendous adversity.”

Dr. Leifeste has received an impressive number of awards including “Woman of the Year” from the Greater Orange Altrusa Chapter and both the “Community Service Award” and “Business of the Year” award from the Greater Orange Chamber of Commerce. She earned her Fellowship of the Academy of General Dentistry in 1993, as well as a General Practice Residency Fellowship with UTDB/Hermann Hospital Houston.

Dr. Leifeste and her late husband Sam have two children, Tyler and Samantha.

The Texas Academy of General Dentistry’s mission is to help general dentists to succeed. It is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists who are the primary care providers for patients of all ages and are responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management, and overall coordination of services related to patients’ oral health needs. Its nearly 2,700 members partner together to help guide the journey of Fellowship, Mastership, and Lifelong Learning in order to provide quality dental care in general practice. For more information about the TAGD, visit www.TAGD.org.