Program Overview

The AAPD Mentor Program connects pediatric dentists with experienced leaders for focused mentoring and small-group peer learning around pivotal career moments. It is designed to help residents, recent graduates, and dentists in transition gain clarity, confidence, and community while strengthening engagement across AAPD.

Mentee Application    Mentor Application

You must be attending AAPD Annual Session in Las Vegas to apply.

Who Participates

Mentees are typically residents, recent graduates in their first 0–5 years of practice, and dentists considering a major career transition such as changing practice settings or exploring ownership. Mentors are experienced clinicians, practice owners, academic leaders, and specialists with 10 or more years of experience who are passionate about developing the next generation of pediatric dentists.

What the Experience Looks Like

The program follows a Career Catalyst model that blends intimate 1:1 or 1:2-3 mentoring with structured small-group discussions on key career inflection points. Each participant is matched into a mentor/mentee pairing and invited to join one or more Pivotal Career Moments discussion circles during the AAPD Annual Meeting.

Before Annual Session

Pre-Meeting Virtual Kickoff: About four weeks before the Annual Meeting, all confirmed mentors and mentees join a 45-minute virtual kickoff session. The session includes topic-based introductions, a brief Q&A on expectations, and practical details about how to schedule and maximize onsite and virtual mentoring conversations.

One-to-One Virtual Meeting: In the one to two weeks leading up to the meeting, each matched pair is encouraged to schedule a 30–45 minute one-to-one video call. Using a shared conversation guide, mentors learn about the mentee’s background, goals, and interests while jointly identifying priorities for the in-person meeting at Annual Session.

During Annual Session

Onsite 1:1+ Meetings: During the Annual Meeting, mentor-mentee pairs meet for a scheduled 30-minute in-person conversation in the Mentor Meetup area at the AAPD booth. Mentors may be matched with one to three mentees and focus on topics such as career aspirations, clinical interests, practice models, and work-life balance, with an emphasis on the mentee’s pivotal career moment.

Pivotal Career Moments Discussion Circles: Participants can also join 50-minute small-group discussion circles, each built around a specific career moment and facilitated by a senior volunteer. Topics may include Residency to First Job, First 5 Years as Associate, Thinking About Ownership or Selling, and Parenting + Pediatric Dentistry, with mentors and mentees sharing stories, questions, and practical lessons.

After Annual Session

Mentor-mentee pairs are encouraged to continue meeting virtually on a monthly or quarterly basis for 30–60 minutes per conversation. These follow-up conversations provide space to check in on progress, revisit questions, and sustain a sense of support and connection throughout the year.

Outcomes and Impact

Mentees leave the program with clearer next steps for their careers, stronger clinical confidence, and a broader professional network within AAPD. Mentors report a meaningful sense of impact, renewed engagement with the specialty, and deeper connection to the AAPD community, informing future expansion of the program.