Dentistry’s “unsung heroes” were recognized on Feb. 28 as the 6th Annual Denobi Awards Gala honoured clinicians, educators, innovators and teams making a measurable impact across the profession.
Held Saturday evening in Portland, Oregon, the ceremony celebrated nine individual leaders, two clinical teams and one Pinnacle Achievement recipient for contributions ranging from clinical innovation and leadership to community outreach and mentorship.
Founded in 2019, the Denobi Awards were created to recognize contributors who may not always receive traditional industry accolades but are shaping the profession through service, collaboration and patient care.
“This is not about trophies,” said co-founder Dr. Sonya Dunbar. “It is about truth, service, and the people who show up for this profession every single day.”
Co-founder Melissa K. Turner said the awards aim to spotlight voices that help advance dentistry in meaningful ways.
“Denobi exists to unite the profession around contribution,” Turner said. “We are committed to raising up voices that do not always get the spotlight and celebrating the people doing the work that moves dentistry forward.”
2026 individual recipients
The following dental leaders were honoured at this year’s gala:
- Brad Hughes, DDS, Founder and CEO
- Brenda McNulty, Founder and CEO
- Debora Carrier, RDH, CEO and Founder
- Divian Narendra Patel, DDS, BDS, Co-Founder
- Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc, President
- Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH, FADHA
- Linda Harvey, RDH, MS, HRM
- Paul D. Slowey, PhD, CEO
- Rachel Sanner, RDA, SOA
Clinical team awards
Two dental teams were also recognized for their collaborative contributions to patient care and community impact:
- Salem Dental Arts
- Smiles Across Montana
Pinnacle Achievement Award
The evening concluded with the Dr. Lou Shuman Denobi Pinnacle Achievement Award presented to Dr. Brett Kessler, past president of the American Dental Association.
Kessler was recognized for his national leadership, efforts to promote collaboration across organized dentistry and his advocacy around mental wellness within the profession.
Growing recognition in dentistry
Organizers say the awards have grown rapidly since their launch in 2019, drawing hundreds of nominations each year from across the United States and internationally.
The program reflects a broader shift in dentistry toward recognizing not only clinical excellence but also leadership, mentorship, innovation and community service, according to the organization.
Next year’s awards
The 7th Annual Denobi Awards Gala is scheduled for March 13, 2027, again in Portland. Nominations will open Oct. 1 and close Dec. 31, with submissions encouraged from dental professionals, teams and organizations making a measurable impact in the field.
More information about nominations and partnerships is available through the Denobi Awards organization.