“I never want the technology or procedures to overshadow the human connection because, on the other side of that handpiece, is me, not a robot.”
All Smiles Dental Center, San Antonio, Texas
In more than 35 years as a dental educator, Jon M. Dossett, DMD, MAGD, ABGD, has worked with a lot of aspiring dentists. But Anthony L. Jaramillo, DDS, stands out among them.
“Of all the students I have supervised in a clinical environment, he demonstrates some of the finest hand skills I have ever seen,” Dossett said. “He manages his patients with a unique compassion that is rarely seen among dentists early in their career.”
This blending of technical mastery with genuine empathy helped land Jaramillo a spot on this year’s 10 Dentists to Watch list.
“I never want the technology or procedures to overshadow the human connection because, on the other side of that handpiece, is me, not a robot,” Jaramillo said.
Jaramillo serves as the current president of the San Antonio AGD. His path into organized dentistry began in dental school. The sense of community and purpose stayed with him after graduation, which inspired him to join the San Antonio AGD board.
“Through organized dentistry, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the responsibility we have — not only to our patients, but also to each other — to keep dentistry strong, ethical and evolving with the times,” Jaramillo said.
Jaramillo also prioritizes CE, having completed more than 500 hours of CE early in his career.
“Every course I take — whether it’s clinical, technological or focused on leadership and communication — adds a new layer to how I practice and how I lead,” he said.
Outside the operatory, Jaramillo volunteers with the Texas Mission of Mercy and Serving Our Heroes, which provides care for veterans and uninsured Texans. These experiences, he said, “remind me of the profound difference compassionate care can make, sometimes in just a single visit.”
From his leadership in organized dentistry to his hands-on community service, Jaramillo exemplifies a new generation of dentists driven by purpose, grounded in empathy, and dedicated to helping people regain comfort, confidence and health.
