AAPHD Call for Nominations

AAPHD Awards of Merit - Call for Nominations due January 23, 2026

There is no greater acknowledgement than that which comes from our peers. Please help the AAPHD Awards Committee select the recipients for its 2026 Awards of Merit Award Winners. We are seeking nominations for two awards:

  • Distinguished Service Award - Presented to a member of AAPHD for excellent and distinguished service to public health dentistry and the association.

  • Public Service Award - Presented to an individual for substantial contribution through action related to public health dentistry issues.

Send your letter of nomination along with a short paragraph explaining why you believe this person deserves this award. Please include the nominee's information.

Nominations should be sent by January 23, 2026 to the AAPHD National Office at [email protected]. 

Please visit the website to see a list of past award recipients.

Amos Deinard Award - Call for Nominations due October 31, 2025

This award honors Dr. Amos Deinard, a pediatrician and one of the original medical providers advocating for better medical-dental integration and improved oral health of Americans through engaging non-dental providers in collective efforts. To this end, this award is to be awarded annually to an emerging faculty leader (less than 10 years since graduation of terminal degree). In addition to the recognition of the Award, the awardee with have the registration fee to the annual National Oral Health Conference (NOHC) waived.  It is strongly encouraged to attend the annual NOHC to be recognized at the AAPHD Annual Business Meeting on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Potential applicants/nominees can apply from any of the non-dental professions (medicine, nursing, social work, community health worker, educator, public health provider, physician assistant, nurse practitioner).

This award can be applied for by the applicant or through nomination by a colleague or supervisor.  Applicants or nominators for the award will write a short letter describing the current and future commitment of the nominee to promotion of oral health clinically and/or educationally in their institutions, community and/or on a public health level.  Consideration will be given to the nominee’s commitment to addressing social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in their oral health efforts and initiatives.  Note – it is strongly encouraged to attend the NOHC meeting. The registration fee is waived, but awardees must pay for or find alternative support for their own transportation and accommodation.

Nominations should be sent by October 31, 2025 to the AAPHD National Office at [email protected]. 

 AAPHD Richard Ferraro Award – Call for Nominations due October 31, 2025

The Richard Ferraro Award is given by the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) to honor the Director of the Dental Service in an FQHC that has developed an excellent community preventive dentistry program, and improved access to basic dental care. The Richard Ferraro Award in honor of Dr. Richard Ferraro who was the founding Dental Director in the first community health center in the United States, now known as the Geiger-Gibson Health Center.

The community preventive dentistry program shall have improved the oral health of underserved groups in the community as well as increased their access to continuous and coordinated basic dental care. Underserved groups may include, for example, pre-school or school-age children, senior groups, special needs populations, or any underserved group experiencing access issues to dental care and oral health. 

Characteristics of successful FQHC community preventive dentistry programs would include but not be limited to:

  • A program that extends the prevention and early diagnosis of oral disease outside the walls of the FQHC dental clinic.

  • A program that collaborates with other community organizations such as, childcare of senior adult care organizations.

  • A program that has operated for a minimum of three years.

  • A program that has been recognized by the leaders in the community in which it exists.

  • A program that has an established plan for sustainability.

  • A program that can be replicated by other FQHCs.

The award in the amount of $3,000 will be given to the Dental Director of the named FQHC, to support or expand the operation of the winning community dentistry program. Please note, funds cannot be used for salaries. 

To nominate an FQHC, please submit a 2 -3 page letter describing the outreach they do by October 31, 2025 to the AAPHD National Office at [email protected].