Dr. Harold C. Slavkin to Receive American Dental Association’s 2009 Gold Medal Award

Honor bestowed for excellence in dental research, advancing oral health

CHICAGO, August 26, 2009—Noted educator and researcher, Harold C. Slavkin, D.D.S., is the 2009 recipient of the American Dental Association's (ADA) Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Dental Research.

Established in 1985 and presented once every three years, the award honors individuals who contribute to the advancement of the profession of dentistry or who help improve the oral health of the community through basic or clinical research.

Dr. Slavkin will receive $25,000 and a gold medallion at a formal presentation on Oct. 2, during the ADA's 150th Annual Session in Honolulu. Dr. Slavkin also can serve a three-year term on the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. The ADA and Church & Dwight Co., Inc., jointly sponsor the Gold Medal Award.

"As one of dentistry's most influential and forward-thinking leaders, Dr. Slavkin's impact on public policy and dental research has been considerable," said Dr. John S. Findley, ADA president. "In addition to contributing substantially to the peer-reviewed literature, his exceptional national and international leadership has served to advance dentistry in countless ways."

Dr. Slavkin served as dean of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry from August 2000 until his retirement in December 2008. Currently on sabbatical, he plans to return to USC in early 2010 to resume being part of the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology (of which he is the founding director) and teaching in the graduate school and dental school. Prior to becoming dean at USC, Dr. Slavkin served as the sixth director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, one of the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Slavkin's memberships include the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a Fellow of both the American College of Dentistry and the International College of Dentistry. He also is past-president of the American Association for Dental Research and the International Association for Dental Research.

About the American Dental Association

Celebrating its 150th anniversary, the not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 157,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org

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