Explore RPC Fellowships

• Samuel D. Harris Fellowship

  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and past president Dr. Paul S. Casamassimo initially created this opportunity for pediatric dental residents and early career pediatric dentists to conduct policy research addressing one of the priority areas identified by the AAPD Research & Policy Center (RPC) Advisory Board and approved by the AAPD Board of Trustees. The fellowship is sponsored by Preventech, Inc.  

  Fellowship Goals

  • Conduct oral health policy and/or health services research that advances children’s oral health and supports AAPD public policy initiatives at the national, state, or local levels with legislatures, regulatory agencies, professional associations, or other non-governmental organizations.
  • Participate in AAPD leadership and advocacy activities that advance children’s oral health and public understanding of pediatric dentistry.
  • Produce and present a timely and high-quality research project or policy analysis on a critical issue impacting children’s oral health within the Harris Fellowship year. This may be a research brief, peer-reviewed publication, or another suitable product based on the topic area and desired audience. 
  • Acquire leadership skills to better advocate for children’s oral health post-fellowship. 

  Applicant Eligibility

  Eligible applicants are:

  • Pediatric dental residents OR pediatric dentists in their first five years post-residency (i.e., must have graduated from residency in 2022 or later for the 2027-28 Fellowship year)  
  • Members of AAPD
  • Reside within the U.S.

  The application deadline is December 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.

  Submit Your Application

  Notifications will be sent by February 1, 2027. Please direct questions to RPC@aapd.org.

  
  Sponsored by Preventech

  Fellows 

  Dr. Sophia Pankratz – 2026-27 
  Dr. Urvi Mehta – 2026-27 
  Dr. Bhakti Desai – 2025-26 
  Dr. Alina O’Brien – 2024-25 
  Dr. Mark Veazie – 2023-24 
  Dr. Alex Sheen – 2022-23 
  Dr. Christina Nunez – 2022-23 
  Dr. Brittaney Hill – 2019-20 
  Dr. Wayne Stephens – 2017-18 
  Dr. Erica Caffrey – 2016-17 
  Dr. Scott Schwartz – 2015-16 
  Dr. Benjamin Curtis – 2015-16 
  Dr. Maria Cordero-Ricardo – 2014-15 
  Dr. Catherine Orynich – 2013-14 
  Dr. Juan Yepes – 2013-14 
  Dr. Barrett Peters – 2012-13 
  Dr. Jacqueline Burgette – 2011-12 
  Dr. Mary Catherine Correll-Wurth – 2010-11 
  Dr. Erin Hinze – 2009-10 
  Dr. Courtney Alexander – 2008-09 
  Dr. Shahrzad Sami – 2006-07 
  Dr. Tyrone Rodriguez – 2005-06 
  Dr. Sona Isharani – 2004-05 

• Safety & Quality Improvement Fellowship

  This fellowship, sponsored by HuFriedyGroup, is designed for early career dentists to pursue a project focused on safety and/or QI topics, with guidance from the Safety & QI Committee and the RPC team. Our teams have collaborated on areas of shared interest, and we are excited to strengthen and expand this partnership through the fellowship. 

  The Fellow’s project is expected to be completed in one year’s time coinciding with the Academy year (e.g., July 2027 to June 2028). The Fellow will have an opportunity to work with AAPD leaders via the Safety & QI Committee and the RPC, and attend select in-person meetings such as the Safety & QI Committee Fall Meeting (link to RPC On the Road?), the RPC Advisory Board Meeting, the AAPD Annual Session, a Dental Quality Alliance (DQA) meeting, or the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) Annual Conference. 

  Safety and QI research topics are wide-ranging. The application will welcome applicants to propose project ideas of their own, while also providing some topics for applicants to express interest in and build upon, such as: 

  • Conducting a state-level analysis of dental waterline management policies
  • Developing or evaluating decision-support tools for radiograph acquisition and shielding practices 
  • Assessing existing adverse incident reporting systems used in dentistry or other professions 
  • Developing materials and other resources to support implementation of Dental Quality Alliance measures in pediatric dental practice  

  Applicant Eligibility
  

  Eligible applicants are:

  • Pediatric dental residents OR pediatric dentists in their first five years post-residency (i.e., must have graduated from residency in 2022 or later for the 2027-28 Fellowship year) 
  • Member of the AAPD
  • Located within the U.S.

  The application deadline is December 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.

  Submit Your Application 

  Notifications will be sent February 1, 2027.
  Please reach out to Lauren Mann at lmann@aapd.org with any questions.

  
  Sponsored by HuFriedyGroup

  Fellows

  Dr. Erinn Enany - 2026-27
  Dr. Lisa Rawle - 2025-26

• Evidence-Based Dentistry Fellowship

  This fellowship was created by AAPD’s Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD) Committee to encourage pediatric dentists to participate in evidence-based research and guideline development and to support interested pediatric dentists in developing skill sets in this line of work. 

  The EBD fellow will: 

  • Receive funding to attend the EBD Workshop at Annual Session 2027 in Washington, D.C. 
  • Complete the AAPD Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Course on Education Passport and other educational opportunities as suggested by AAPD EBD leadership.
  • Practice EBD methodological skills by participating in existing EBD Workgroups. Fellow may assist in PICO question development, data extraction and synthesis, manuscript development, or other activities as needed and directed by the Workgroup Chair. 
  • Observe the EBD Committee at its virtual governance meeting. 
  • Present to the EBD Committee and/or submit a written piece for Pediatric Dentistry Today. The topic and other details will be determined in consultation with EBD Committee Chairperson, Dr. Tim Wright. 
  • Receive professional development guidance and networking opportunities from AAPD EBD leadership.  
  • Propose an EBD project that aligns with the goals and strategic directions of the AAPD and that would be a valuable contribution to pediatric dentistry for future consideration of the EBD Committee and AAPD Board of Trustees.  

  Applicant Eligibility

  • Pediatric dental residents, dental faculty members, dental program directors, and other pediatric dentists are encouraged to apply for the Fellowship. 
  • Preference may be given to pediatric dentists that have worked on AAPD Councils and Committees, such as the Council on Clinical Affairs or the Council on Scientific Affairs. 
  • Applicants must be current members of the AAPD and located within the US. 

  The application deadline is December 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST. 

  Submit Your Application

  Notifications will be sent by February 1, 2027.
  Please direct questions to RPC@aapd.org.

  Fellows
  

  Dr. Azza Tagelsir Ahmed – 2026-27 
  Dr. Poojan Shrestha – 2025-26