Recognizing the professionals, leaders, and changemakers who advance oral health equity and shape the future of our communities.
Know someone making an impact? Submit your nominations for the 2026 Awards in Richmond, VA.
Recognizing extraordinary contributions across dentistry, leadership, community impact, and social justice.
Discretion of NDA leadership — recommended every 3 years
One of the Association's highest honors recognizing lifetime achievements creating lasting, transformative impact on the NDA and communities we serve.
Discretion of NDA leadership — recommended every 3 years
Honors a pioneering leader who has broken barriers, created new pathways, and driven bold innovation advancing the NDA mission.
Annual
Honors transition from SNDA to NDA leadership — celebrating members who carried their student commitment into professional service and continued to lead within the Association.
The National Dental Association Foundation (NDAF) and Colgate Palmolive invite you to participate in the Faculty Recognition Awards Competition. The awards represent recognition of individuals whose actions produce a balance between dental educators and dental practitioners through joint efforts of the National Dental Association and the American Dental Education Association. The recipients of these awards will be individuals who have demonstrated excellence, professional development, and a willingness to support and help others in their quest for knowledge and advancement.
Annual — NDAF & Colgate Palmolive
Annual — NDAF & Colgate Palmolive
Annual · Up to 10 Honorees
Recognizes NDA members with 1–7 years of teaching and whose leadership advances oral health equity, professional excellence, and service to underserved communities. Each award highlights a different pathway of leadership.
Recognizing women and organizations whose leadership, courage, and vision are transforming health equity and advancing the mission of the NDA.
Male/Female
Distinguished professional accomplishments, visionary leadership, measurable outcomes, mentoring future leaders, and high ethical standards.
Organizations, Male/Female Led
Organizations advancing health and wellness through community engagement, DEI policies, sustainable philanthropy, and documented impact.
Female
Women who have overcome significant challenges with bravery, resilience, and advocacy — turning personal trials into community impact.
Male/Female
Sustained community service leadership in healthcare access, health literacy, education, and service to underserved populations.
Female
Barrier-breaking achievement, forward-thinking innovation, industry transformation, and advancement of representation.
Honoring bold advocates whose leadership at the intersection of dentistry and justice has driven lasting systemic change in our communities.
Annual
Extraordinary leadership advancing social justice, health equity, and systemic change. Requires 5+ years of commitment and community outreach.
Annual
Bold leadership at the forefront of social change — using voice, platform, and influence to champion justice and mobilize communities.
Honors a member whose service to underserved communities through volunteerism, outreach programs, or humanitarian efforts exemplifies the NDA's commitment to oral health equity.
Celebrates a member who is using their voice and platform to advocate for systemic change, health policy reform, and justice within dentistry and the broader community.
Recognizes a member actively working to eliminate oral health disparities through research, policy, community engagement, or direct patient care in underserved populations.
Honors a member dedicated to investing in the next generation — through pipeline programs, student mentorship, or youth outreach that strengthens the future of the dental profession.
Celebrates a member whose active engagement within their local NDA component society has strengthened organizational capacity, member engagement, and community presence.
Honored at the 112th National Convention · Kansas City, Missouri
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Help us recognize the individuals making an impact in oral health equity across our communities.