This page is updated regularly with all the great things our members are up to! To submit your stories for this page, please email the Web and Social Media Coordinator, Camryn Schreiner, at cschreiner@aapd.org.
DeAndra N. Turner, DDS Celebrated for Dedication to the Field of Dentistry
Dr. Turner excels as a board-certified pediatric dentist in private practice, focusing on community health and she lends her considerable expertise to private practices such as, Kids Dental Kare and The Children's Dental Specialist. Over the years, she gained valuable expertise in various settings, including hospitals and corporate settings. Thank you for your dedication Dr. Turner!
Dr. Rogers Recognized by Oral Health Kansas with the Chairman's Award for Outstanding Achievement
Dr. Nick Rogers was recently awarded the inaugural Chairman’s Award by Oral Health Kansas (OHK). Dr. Rogers served six years as an OHK board member, including as Vice President and Secretary, and as a member of the Finance and Advocacy Committees. He has been a trusted advisor on questions on sedation care for many years, including serving on a new task force to address the issue. Dr. Rogers frequently shared his experience and insight as a rural practitioner in presentations, including the inaugural Project ECHO series on dental care for people with disabilities last fall. He also is a gifted advocate for bringing new ideas to the table and helping get them passed into policy, such as Medicaid coverage of the new hospital code for sedation care.
Dr. Winifred Booker Authors One Baby, One Brush, One Dentist to Protect Us ©
Take a moment to delve into a special article authored by Dr. Winifred Booker, shedding light on the proposed Maryland medical health care campaign. This campaign emphasizes the importance of every enrolled Maryland Medicaid provider and the pressing need for comprehensive oral health services persistent across Maryland and holds the potential to set a precedent for similar endeavors nationwide.
Dr. Tinanoff Honored at the American Dental Association’s SmileCon™ 2023
Norman Tinanoff, D.D.S., M.S., will receive the 2023 EBD Accomplished Faculty Award. Dr. Tinanoff is currently a professor for the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Over the span of his 45-year academic career, he has authored or co-authored over 200 clinically oriented publications, primarily on fluoride mechanisms, antimicrobials, caries risk factors, early childhood caries and prevention. Dr. Tinanoff served on the AAPD’s Council on Clinical Affairs for 14 years, with lead authorship on 12 Oral Health Policies or Best Practice.
WVU Offers First Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program in West Virginia
The WVU Department of Pediatric Dentistry recently received initial approval from the Commission on Dental Accreditation, allowing the first residents to enroll in the first institution in the state to offer a residency in pediatric dentistry.
"To be able to begin recruiting for our new pediatric dentistry residency program is essential for our goal as a land-grant institution to advance health care, specifically the oral health care of children, in West Virginia," Dr. Dani Kim, residency program director and AAPD member, said.
Drs. Jackson & Poplin Named to a New Advisory Board at Convergent Dental
Convergent Dental appointed five highly credentialed, industry-leading dentists who are among the most experienced in using Solea. Their role is to support the ongoing rapid adoption of Solea and to inform future clinical applications.
Colgate-Palmolive Announces 2023 Recipients of the Colgate Award for Research Excellence (C.A.R.E.)
Congratulations to AAPD Members, Dr. Heidi Steinkamp, PhD, DDS, MS and Dr. Bhakti Desai, DMD for being named a recipient of the C.A.R.E.! They will each receive a 1-year research grant ($30,000.00 USD) to foster the development of their areas of interest in dental, oral, and craniofacial research. Winners were selected based on the program’s criteria, which include innovation, clinical significance, originality, and scientific quality.
San Diego County Appoints Dr. Fadra Whyte as Chief Dental Officer to Promote Oral Health
San Diego County has hired Dr. Fadra M. Whyte as its new chief dental officer to help develop policies and expand programs that promote oral health, officials announced Wednesday.
Whyte has worked as a board-certified pediatric dentist at San Ysidro Health for the past 10 years. She is part of the faculty for the NYU Langone Pediatric Dental Residency Program co-located at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, mainly treating children with special health care needs, according to a county statement. Congratulations on this new opportunity, Dr. Whyte!
Dr. Abimbola Adewumi named Pitt’s New Chair of Pediatric Dentistry
Pitt’s School of Dental Medicine named Abimbola Adewumi its new chair of pediatric dentistry. She will lead the department, which educates Doctor of Dental Medicine and dental hygiene students as well as graduate residents in the specialized field. Congratulations on your new role Dr. Adewumi!
Massachusetts Dental Society Names Joshua Hurlburt "10 Under 10"
Ten dentists in Massachusetts have been honored as the 2023 recipients of the 10 Under Ten awards by the Massachusetts Dental Society, including AAPD Member Dr. Joshua Hurlburt. The annual list highlights ten new dentists in Massachusetts and their diverse impacts on the dental profession. Congratulations Dr. Hurlburt!
Dr. Lauren Yap Among Winners of the PDA Inaugural 10 Under 10 Awards
Penn Dental Medicine faculty member, Lauren Yap in the division of pediatric dentistry, was among the winners of the Pennsylvania Dental Association’s (PDA) inaugural 10 Under 10 Awards. This award highlights and celebrates the outstanding contributions of new dentists who have made significant contributions to the profession, their communities, and the field of organized dentistry. Congratulations on this award Lauren!
Dr. Cynthia Wong Named Chair, Eastman Institute Pediatric Dentistry
After an extensive national search, Associate Professor Cynthia Wong DMD, MS (Pedo ’13, MS ‘15) has been named chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Eastman Institute for Oral Health. She has been serving as interim chair since July and her permanent appointment is effective immediately. Congratulations on this new role Dr. Wong!
Karin Weber-Gasparoni honored with UI's 2023 Regents Award for Faculty Excellence
Dr. Weber-Gasparoni, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Iowa, is a respected dental scholar whose research focuses on dental care for patients with special needs, infants, and children from low-income, high-risk populations. Her demonstrated commitment to service at the local, university, and national levels includes membership on AAPD's Council of Clinical Affairs, helping set national standards for clinical pediatric dentistry. Congratualtions on this honor!
Ponce Health Sciences University School of Dental Medicine Becomes the First CODA-Accredited Private Dental School in Puerto Rico
PHSU announced that its Doctor of Dental Medicine degree program has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). With the initial accreditation granted, PHSU School of Dental Medicine will welcome its first incoming class in August 2024. View the full press release here. Congratulations to AAPD Member Dr. Torres and his university on this historic achievement!
Dr. Bumann Named Recipient of the American Dental Association’s 2023 10 Under 10 Award
Dr. Aaron Bumann currently serves as a Public Policy Advocate for the Missouri American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and as a pediatric dentist in Kansas City, Missouri who gives regular lectures to dental students about pediatric dentistry, personal finance, and advocacy. Congratulations Dr. Bumann!
Dr. Martha Harden Wells Appointed Chief of Dentistry for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Dr. Wells joins the faculty as a full member of the Department of Surgery and is the first dentist to ever be on the faculty at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She serves on the Board of Editors for the AAPD Journal and serves on various AAPD committees. Congratulations on this incredible achievement Dr. Wells!
Summit Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
Their office was chosen for Vestavia's Best Pediatric Office (between pediatric dental and pediatrician offices) and Vestavia's Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year - Service. Congratulations to their team in Alabama!
Dr. Lawrence Kotlow Has Been Awarded the 2023 Leaders in Continuing Education Presented by Dentistry Today
Dr. Kotlow also received this award in 2001 and 2022, among numerous other recognitions over the last 15 years. He has a solo practice in Albany, NY, and is a life member of AAPD. Congratulations to Dr. Kotlow on his many accomplishments over the years!