The American Dental Association (ADA) is poised to recognize several distinguished individuals in the dental field during SmileCon 2024, set to take place in New Orleans on October 18. This event, celebrated for highlighting advancements and leadership within dentistry, will honor those who have made impactful contributions in both practice and research.
One of the ADA’s most prestigious awards, the Distinguished Service Award, will be presented to Theresa S. Gonzales, DMD. A professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and a retired U.S. Army colonel, Gonzales is being celebrated for nearly 35 years of dedication to dental education, military readiness, and advocacy for veterans and underserved communities. Growing up in a military family, she has merged her expertise as an oral and maxillofacial pathologist with her commitment to leadership and service. ADA President Linda J. Edgar, DDS, praised Gonzales for bringing invaluable clinical experience to her students and fostering collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals to enhance patient care.
Gonzales’ impressive career includes serving as chair of the Department of Advanced Specialty Sciences and director of the Ryan White Dental Clinic at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. After retiring from the military in 2013, she launched the Chronic Orofacial Pain Management Service, the college’s first program of its kind. She remains a staunch advocate for equitable healthcare access for veterans and plays an active role in a multidisciplinary healthcare facility supporting patients with HIV/AIDS.
Additionally, the ADA will honor Bill Sasser, DMD, from Charleston, NC, with the 2024 Humanitarian Award. Sasser has dedicated over two decades to providing dental care for underserved populations, leading or participating in nearly 140 dental mission trips across 34 countries. His efforts have significantly improved oral health care access for those with limited treatment options. Sasser also founded the North Charleston Dental Outreach clinic, which offers crucial services to uninsured patients in his community.
Sasser’s selflessness and unwavering commitment to serving disadvantaged populations have earned him acclaim from colleagues and community members alike. “I’m honored to have been selected for this award, but I’m not a saint,” Sasser remarked. “I’m a flawed individual who doesn’t mind working hard, and I feel that contributing to the good of others is a selfish way to stay productive in my old age. My life has been much more fulfilling practicing dentistry for free than when I was getting paid.”
Moreover, SmileCon will recognize two esteemed researchers for their groundbreaking contributions to dental science. William Giannobile, DDS, DMSc, a leader in periodontal regenerative medicine and dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, will receive the 2024 Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Dental Research. Yvonne Kapila, DDS, PhD, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, will be honored with the Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research. Both have made transformative strides in their fields, with Giannobile concentrating on precision medicine and tissue regeneration, while Kapila has enhanced understanding of periodontal disease and oral cancer.
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