Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award Grant

The Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award, offered by the ADA Foundation, aims to support emerging leaders in oral health. This award grants $5,000 to individuals demonstrating commitment to enhancing access to dental education and employment opportunities. Eligible applicants include dental students, early-career dentists, and those under 40. Selection criteria focus on leadership potential and contributions to the profession, emphasizing community engagement and public health advancement. Visit ADAF.org for application details.

ADA Foundation Award Programs
The ADA Foundation (ADAF) award programs recognize and support promising oral health leaders and researchers, especially those who are working to expand access to quality dental care for all.
These distinguished awards represent significant opportunities for career advancement in the oral health field. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit ADAF.org for detailed submission guidelines.
The Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award recognizes a promising leader who has demonstrated commitment to increasing access to oral health educational and employment opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, or any other characteristics, and whose research excellence and leadership have made a substantial contribution to improving the oral health of the public. This award will provide $5,000 to a deserving individual to cover the costs of attending the ADA Leadership Institutes 2026-2027 program. Funds can also be put towards the costs of the Institute project.

Eligibility

Applicant must be either a dental student, dentist, dentist pursuing graduate studies, dental resident enrolled in an accredited dental school education degree or certificate program, or an early-career dentist under the age of 40.open to all active, licensed dentists and dental students, residing in the U.S. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated leadership potential within dental associations, dental school or their communities. Emerging leaders are encouraged to apply.Selection will be based on leadership skills that advance the dental profession through community engagement, service to the profession, and/or scientific advancement of oral public health.