ADEA Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Student Leadership Award
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For Students
- ADEA/Haleon Dental Hygiene Scholarship
- ADEA/Crest Oral-B Scholarships for Dental Hygiene Students Pursuing Academic Careers
- ADEA/Crest Oral-B Scholarships for Predoctoral Dental Students Pursuing Academic Careers
- ADEA Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Student Leadership Award
- ADEA/Haleon Preventive Dentistry Scholarships
- ADEA/MouthWatch Patti DiGangi Scholarship for Dental Hygiene Innovation
- ADEA/MouthWatch Predoctoral Dental Student Scholarship for Innovation
- ADEA/Sigma Phi Alpha Linda DeVore Scholarship
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For Dental Educators
- ADEA/AAL Chairs and Academic Administrators Management Program Scholarship
- ADEA/AAL Institute for Teaching and Learning Scholarship
- ADEA Bell Leadership Institute Achievers Program Scholarships
- ADEA Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Faculty Leadership Award
- ADEA Council of Students, Residents and Fellows/Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Junior Faculty Award
- ADEA/Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Excellence in Teaching Award
- ADEA Enid A. Neidle Scholar Program
- ADEA/Gillette Hayden Memorial Foundation Tuition Scholarship for Early Career Professional Development
- ADEA Leadership Institute Alumni Association Award to Honor Jack Bresch
- ADEA Leadership Institute Phase V Leadership Development Tuition Scholarship
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For Leadership Institute Fellows
- ADEA/AADOCR/Colgate-Palmolive Co. Dr. Dominick P. DePaola Scholar in the ADEA Leadership Institute
- ADEA/ADEAGies Foundation Drs. Connie L. and Richard R. Drisko Scholar in the ADEA Leadership Institute
- The ADEA/Foundation for Endodontics Scholar in the ADEA Leadership Institute
- ADEA/American College of Dentists Dr. Jerome Bright Miller Scholars in the ADEA Leadership Institute
- ADEA/Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc./National Dental Association Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford Scholar in the ADEA Leadership Institute
Questions
For any questions, please contact the ADEA Office of Learning at ProfessionalDevelopment@adea.org.
Purpose
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is pleased to announce the 2026 Student Award honoring Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford’s remarkable impact on dental education throughout her stellar career as a lifelong champion of dental research and a steadfast advocate for integrity and humanism.
The award is intended to inspire and empower the next generation of students in oral health education and leadership. Selected students will be determined by the liaison of each dental institution.
There is no application form for this award. Students will not submit nominations to ADEA. Students are nominated by their designated school liaison; there is only one nomination per school.
Overview
Dr. Jeanne C. Sinkford is an icon, trailblazer and visionary in dental education, a lifelong supporter of dental research and a steadfast integrity and humanism. As the first woman and African American dean of a U.S. dental school, Dr. Sinkford’s pioneering efforts empowered people from all backgrounds to advance to the pinnacle of their careers in dentistry, including deanships, research, service, and academia.
Dr. Sinkford’s stellar academic, research and service leadership are the hallmarks of her professional career. She is a persistent advocate for integrity and humanism in dental education and in the oral health profession. She is a champion for access to oral health care and improving health outcome for all. Her long career as a leader for change has had a resounding impact and has fueled transformation in the dental education community.
The award recipient or university will receive the following.
- A monetary award of $500.
- A certificate and nameplate for the school’s plaque during the Student Award Ceremony at their respective dental institutions.
Eligibility Requirements
This prestigious award, sponsored by ADEA, is given annually by each U.S. and Canadian dental school to a student in good academic standing in their final year of dental education.
The criteria are as follows:
- The student must demonstrate participation in leadership activities.
- The student must demonstrate effective leadership.
- The student must champion access to oral health care and improved outcomes for communities with limited access to care.
- The student must be community service-oriented.
- The student must be committed to entering dental education or organized dentistry.
Application Process Checklist
The designated liaison from each U.S. and Canadian dental school must submit student nomination.
Please contact the ADEA Office of Learning at JSAwards@adea.org to confirm eligibility.
University liaisons will receive information to submit their student awardee to ADEA by the end of January 2027.
De-identified applicant information will be used to improve scholarships at ADEA and may be published. Identified information (e.g., biographies) of successful winners will be published on the ADEA website, shared with your home institution, and may be used in ADEA promotional material. By applying to this scholarship, you agree that you have read and understand how your information could be used.
Notification Date and Award Announcement
Selections are made by each U.S. and Canadian dental school and announced at the Student Award Ceremony at each institution.