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TAPD Officer Spotlight – Elva Jordan
Name: Elva Villa Jordan, D.D.S.
Position: Secretary/Treasurer
Number of years in practice: I’ve been practicing pediatric dentistry for 14 years and currently serve as an assistant clinical professor at the UT Health San Antonio – Laredo Dental Clinic.
Where you went to dental school and completed residency: I’m a proud graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, earning my DDS in 2009 and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 2011.
Number of years as a TAPD member: I have been a TAPD member for my entire 14 years in practice. In 2024, I expanded my involvement by joining the Continuing Education Committee and serving as a Board Member at Large.
What made you decide to get involved as a TAPD officer: I decided to pursue an officer position to increase my contribution to our shared goals. This aligns with my commitment to leadership, mentorship for the next generation of pediatric dentists, advancing our profession, and advocating effectively for children’s oral health.
What is your goal for the year: Making sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly. My goal is to ensure our reporting is clear, accurate, and timely, making it easy for the board to lead effectively and for all our members to stay well-informed.
What have you learned in your time as a TAPD member: My time with TAPD, particularly serving on the board and the CE committee, has been fantastic. It’s given me a much broader view of all the different practice styles and perspectives across Texas. More than anything, it’s really shown me the power of teamwork – seeing how much we can accomplish for kids’ dental care when we bring our expertise together.
What surprised you the most about the legislative process: I was most surprised by the positive engagement experienced during TAPD Lobby Day and the receptiveness of legislators. It was truly eye-opening to witness that when we present a unified message, our collective voice is effectively heard. This experience reinforced the critical importance of broad member participation in advocacy to achieve meaningful outcomes for the children we serve.
What are you most proud of about TAPD: I am most proud of the consistent collaboration between TAPD members and the board. There is a clear, shared focus not only on providing valuable member benefits but also on positively impacting the children we serve. I particularly value our collective commitment to clinical excellence and evidence-based practice, our dedicated support for early-career dentists, and the effectiveness of our unified advocacy efforts.