AAPHD Student Merit Awards

About this program

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) is offering 2026 Student Merit Awards and Student Recognition Awards to honor excellence in community and public health dentistry: Merit Awards (predoctoral dental, dental hygiene, and Leverett graduate categories) recognize outstanding community-based or research projects completed before graduation, while Recognition Awards honor one senior student per accredited dental and accredited baccalaureate dental hygiene program in the U.S. and Canada for demonstrated commitment to community service. Merit Award applicants must be senior or recently graduated predoctoral dental students, dental hygiene students, or graduate students/residents in dental public health and must submit an online abstract, a 20‑page report, a letter of nomination, IRB documentation if applicable, and a cover page; Merit awardees will present at the General Poster Session at NOHC 2026 and be recognized at the AAPHD Annual Business Meeting on April 12, 2026. Schools may nominate one senior student for a Recognition Award covering community research, service‑learning/outreach, education/advocacy, quality improvement/access‑to‑care, or sustained volunteer/leadership; Recognition recipients receive an electronic certificate, one‑year complimentary AAPHD membership, and a one‑year JPHD subscription. Merit prizes are $500 (first), $200 (second), and $100 (third) and include complimentary 2026 NOHC registration, AAPHD membership and JPHD access; the nomination site closes April 30, 2026.