2025 MDA Awards

1. Advancement of Policy Change

• Description: This criterion evaluates the nominee's efforts to influence or advocate for meaningful policy changes at local, state, or national levels that benefit the dental profession or improve access to oral health care.
• Examples: Successful lobbying for dental coverage in public insurance programs, advocating for dental workforce expansion, or influencing legislation that addresses oral health disparities.

2. Leadership in Raising Awareness

• Description: This criterion recognizes the nominee’s role in raising public awareness about critical dental issues, from access to care to preventive oral health, through educational campaigns, media outreach, or public speaking.
• Examples: Leading national oral health awareness campaigns, engaging in public speaking at conferences or in the media, or spearheading initiatives to highlight the connection between oral health and overall health.

3. Collaboration and Coalition Building

• Description: Advocacy is often most impactful when done collaboratively. This criterion evaluates the nominee’s ability to build alliances with other healthcare professionals, organizations, and policymakers to achieve shared goals.
• Examples: Forming coalitions with public health organizations, collaborating with legislators on oral health policy, or working with other dental or healthcare organizations to amplify the impact of advocacy efforts.

4. Impact on Underserved and Vulnerable Populations

• Description: This criterion focuses on the nominee’s advocacy for policies or initiatives that address the oral health needs of underserved, vulnerable, or marginalized communities.
• Examples: Advocating for expanded access to dental care for low-income populations, pushing for inclusion of oral health services in health equity initiatives, or working on behalf of children, the elderly, or those in rural areas.

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1. Impact on Community Health

• Description: This criterion evaluates the tangible and measurable impact the nominee’s outreach efforts have had on improving the oral health and overall well-being of the community.
• Examples: Reduction in oral disease prevalence, increased access to care for underserved populations, or significant improvements in community oral health education and awareness.

2. Sustainability and Long-Term Commitment

• Description: This focuses on the nominee’s ability to create programs or initiatives that offer lasting benefits to the community, not just one-time events. The award should highlight sustained efforts or partnerships that lead to long-term improvements.
• Examples: Ongoing dental education programs, collaborations with local schools or community centers, or establishment of long-term care models for underserved groups.

3. Inclusivity and Access

• Description: The nominee’s efforts to ensure equitable access to dental care and education for all individuals, especially for underrepresented and marginalized groups, should be a primary consideration.
• Examples: Providing free or low-cost dental services to underserved populations, offering outreach in non-traditional settings (e.g., homeless shelters, rural areas), or targeting populations with high oral health disparities.

4. Innovative Approaches to Outreach

• Description: This evaluates the creativity and effectiveness of the nominee’s methods in reaching and engaging the community. Innovation in overcoming barriers to care, utilizing technology, or integrating dental health into broader community health initiatives would be key here.
• Examples: Use of mobile dental clinics, teledentistry services, innovative educational campaigns, or leveraging social media to raise awareness and mobilize resources.

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1. Longstanding Contributions to Organized Dentistry

• Description: This criterion recognizes the nominee’s sustained and impactful contributions to the field of dentistry over the course of their career, particularly those that have had a lasting effect on the profession.
• Examples: Pioneering innovations in dental care or techniques, advancing research that has changed clinical practice, or contributing to the development of dental policies or guidelines that have shaped the profession.

2. Leadership and Mentorship

• Description: This criterion honors the nominee’s role in shaping future generations of dental professionals through mentorship, teaching, or leadership in professional organizations.
• Examples: Mentoring young dental professionals, serving as an educator in dental schools or workshops, or holding significant leadership positions in national or international dental associations.

3. Commitment to the Community

• Description: This criterion acknowledges the nominee’s efforts to improve community health, particularly through public service, outreach, and initiatives aimed at underserved populations.
• Examples: Establishing or leading community health programs, providing pro bono dental care, advocating for oral health policies that benefit disadvantaged groups, or working to reduce oral health disparities on a local or national level.

4. Exemplary Professionalism and Ethical Standards

• Description: This criterion recognizes the nominee’s consistent demonstration of high ethical standards, professionalism, and integrity throughout their career.
• Examples: Upholding the core values of the dental profession, promoting ethical decision-making in clinical practice, and serving as a role model for colleagues and students in terms of professional conduct.

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1. Excellence in Teaching and Student Engagement

• Description: This criterion evaluates the nominee’s ability to provide high-quality, effective, and engaging education that inspires and equips dental students or professionals.
• Examples: Developing innovative teaching methods, creating engaging curricula, using interactive or hands-on learning experiences, and fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages student growth and critical thinking.

2. Mentorship and Student Development

• Description: This criterion recognizes the nominee’s commitment to mentoring dental students or junior faculty, helping them grow both academically and professionally.
• Examples: Offering guidance and career advice to students, supporting their clinical and academic development, and playing an active role in helping students navigate the challenges of dental education and the early stages of their careers.

3. Contributions to Research and Curriculum Advancement

• Description: This criterion acknowledges the nominee’s contributions to advancing dental education through research, curriculum development, or the introduction of innovative educational practices.
• Examples: Conducting research that impacts dental education, introducing new techniques or technologies into the curriculum, or advocating for and implementing changes that improve educational outcomes for students.

4. Commitment to Professional and Community Service

• Description: This criterion focuses on the nominee’s involvement in professional organizations, community outreach, or public service that enhances the dental profession and contributes to the broader community.
• Examples: Leading community-based dental education programs, serving in leadership roles in dental education associations, or engaging in volunteer efforts that promote oral health awareness and education in underserved communities.

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1. Advocacy for Oral Health Legislation

• Description: This criterion evaluates the legislator’s active role in introducing, supporting, or passing legislation that directly benefits the dental profession and improves access to quality oral health care.
• Examples: Sponsoring or advocating for bills that expand access to dental care, improve Medicaid or CHIP dental benefits, support dental education funding, or address workforce shortages in underserved areas.

2. Commitment to Expanding Access to Care

• Description: This criterion focuses on the legislator’s efforts to reduce barriers to dental care, particularly for underserved, vulnerable, and low-income populations.
• Examples: Championing policies that address oral health disparities, supporting funding for dental care in rural or low-income areas, or advocating for insurance reforms to improve access to affordable dental care.

3. Collaboration with Dental Professionals and Organizations

• Description: This criterion recognizes the legislator’s willingness and ability to work collaboratively with dental professionals, associations, and public health organizations to advance dental health policies.
• Examples: Engaging with the American Dental Association (ADA) and other dental groups in policy discussions, attending dental-related events, and incorporating input from dental professionals into policy development.

4. Leadership in Oral Health Promotion and Preventive Care

• Description: This criterion evaluates the legislator’s leadership in advancing policies that prioritize preventive dental care, public health education, and overall improvements in community oral health.
• Examples: Supporting school-based dental programs, promoting water fluoridation, advocating for preventive oral health initiatives, or pushing for public health campaigns that emphasize the link between oral health and overall well-being.

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1. Clinical Excellence and Patient Care

• Description: This criterion evaluates the nominee’s skill, expertise, and commitment to delivering the highest quality of patient care in their role as a dental hygienist.
• Examples: Consistently demonstrating best practices in patient care, providing exceptional prophylaxis and preventive treatments, and maintaining high standards in clinical techniques and patient safety.

2. Commitment to Continuing Education and Professional Development

• Description: This criterion recognizes the nominee’s dedication to staying current with advances in dental hygiene, continuing education, and professional growth.
• Examples: Actively participating in continuing education courses, obtaining certifications or specialized training, or contributing to the education of peers or students through workshops, mentoring, or leadership roles.

3. Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Description: This criterion highlights the nominee’s efforts to improve public oral health in their community, particularly through outreach, education, or volunteerism.
• Examples: Organizing or participating in free dental screenings or educational programs for underserved populations, advocating for oral health awareness, or contributing to local health initiatives or public health campaigns.

4. Leadership and Collaboration

• Description: This criterion recognizes the nominee’s leadership abilities, including their contribution to team dynamics, mentorship, and collaboration with other dental professionals to provide comprehensive patient care.
• Examples: Leading a dental hygiene department, mentoring new hygienists, contributing to interprofessional teams, or taking on leadership roles within professional associations to advocate for the profession.

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Nominations are sought for new dentists (who graduated from dental school less than 10 years ago) who are making a difference in:



1. Science, research and education: Dentists who have made substantial contributions in advancing clinical topics by leading, organizing or participating in clinical research or scientifically focused efforts, or who significantly impact the profession through education and mentorship.

2. Practice excellence: Dentists who do not settle for the status quo and have implemented innovative or more effective ways to improve their patients’ experiences, lead dental teams, or market or grow dental practices. Their practice methods serve as an inspiration to other dentists.

3. Philanthropy: Dentists who have made a difference in the lives of others — in dentistry or otherwise — by volunteering, leading a philanthropic effort or using their skills to help those in need.

4. Leadership: Dentists who serve in leadership, either inside or outside dentistry, and have used their position to improve a dental association, another organization or their community at large.

5. Advocacy: Dentists who take a leadership role in advocacy initiatives or legislative activity on behalf of dentists and oral health initiatives.

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1. Support for Dental Practices and Professionals

• Description: This criterion evaluates the business partner’s contribution to enhancing the efficiency, growth, and success of dental practices and dental professionals through products, services, or partnerships.
• Examples: Providing high-quality dental supplies, cutting-edge technology, or essential business services (e.g., practice management, marketing, or financial support) that significantly improve the operation and success of dental practices.

2. Commitment to Innovation and Quality

• Description: This criterion recognizes the business partner’s role in introducing innovative solutions, tools, or products that contribute to advancing the dental profession.
• Examples: Developing or offering new technologies or materials that improve patient care, streamline practice operations, or enhance clinical outcomes, while maintaining high standards of quality and reliability.

3. Ethical Business Practices and Integrity

• Description: This criterion honors the business partner's commitment to upholding ethical business practices, transparency, and integrity in all dealings with dental professionals and organizations.
• Examples: Adhering to fair pricing practices, delivering on promises, ensuring transparency in contracts or agreements, and demonstrating a strong commitment to ethical conduct and sustainability in business practices.

4. Collaboration and Engagement with the Dental Community and the Association

• Description: This criterion evaluates the business partner’s engagement with the dental community, including efforts to foster relationships, support dental education, or collaborate on initiatives that benefit the broader dental profession.
• Examples: Sponsoring dental events or conferences, supporting continuing education opportunities for dental professionals, contributing to research, or partnering with dental associations to improve the profession through collaborative efforts.

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1. Leadership, Community Service, and Association Engagement in Maine

• The student shows leadership qualities through active participation in student organizations, mentoring peers, or contributing to the betterment of the school or community.
• Example: Serving as a president of a student association, organizing dental outreach programs, or volunteering in local public health initiatives.

2. Clinical Skill and Patient Care

• The student consistently provides exceptional patient care, demonstrating a high level of clinical competency, professionalism, and empathy towards patients.
• Example: Consistently receiving positive feedback from clinical instructors and patients, with a strong ability to perform procedures efficiently and with care.

3. Commitment to Professionalism and Ethical Practice

• The student exemplifies professionalism in their interactions with peers, faculty, staff, and patients. They adhere to high ethical standards, demonstrate integrity, and consistently advocate for the best interests of patients and the profession.
• Example: Demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility, respect for diversity, and a commitment to upholding the ethical principles of the dental profession in all aspects of their training and practice.

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1. Clinical Excellence and Patient Care

• Description: This criterion evaluates the nominee’s skill, expertise, and commitment to delivering the highest quality of patient care in their role as a dental hygienist.
• Examples: Consistently demonstrating best practices in patient care, providing exceptional prophylaxis and preventive treatments, and maintaining high standards in clinical techniques and patient safety.

2. Commitment to Continuing Education and Professional Development

• Description: This criterion recognizes the nominee’s dedication to staying current with advances in dental hygiene, continuing education, and professional growth.
• Examples: Actively participating in continuing education courses, obtaining certifications or specialized training, or contributing to the education of peers or students through workshops, mentoring, or leadership roles.

3. Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Description: This criterion highlights the nominee’s efforts to improve public oral health in their community, particularly through outreach, education, or volunteerism.
• Examples: Organizing or participating in free dental screenings or educational programs for underserved populations, advocating for oral health awareness, or contributing to local health initiatives or public health campaigns.

4. Leadership and Collaboration

• Description: This criterion recognizes the nominee’s leadership abilities, including their contribution to team dynamics, mentorship, and collaboration with other dental professionals to provide comprehensive patient care.
• Examples: Leading a dental hygiene department, mentoring new hygienists, contributing to interprofessional teams, or taking on leadership roles within professional associations to advocate for the profession.

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