Leaders in Research & Evidence-Based Dentistry Honored at American Dental Association’s SmileCon™ 2025

CHICAGO, October 24, 2025 — The American Dental Association (ADA) has announced the winner of the Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research and the recipients of the Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD) Faculty & Practice Awards at SmileCon™ in Washington, D.C. They will be celebrated on Oct. 24 during the Changemakers Celebration.

Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research
Craig S. Miller, D.M.D., M.S., has received the Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research for his distinguished career as a research leader in clinical investigations that have contributed to the advancement of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of craniofacial and oral diseases. Dr. Miller is currently the Alvin L. Morris Professor of Oral Health Research and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. He has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed scientific articles, abstracts and conference proceedings, and more than 50 editorials and commentaries. He was the first to document the recrudescence patterns of all eight herpesviruses in the oral cavity, and his lab provided critical evidence that identified the anatomic location of persistent viral infections involving human papillomavirus (HPV) and John Cunningham virus (JCV). Dr. Miller’s research efforts also have extensively influenced the field of salivary diagnostics. As a multi-talented dentist and scientist, his discoveries have made a significant impact on dentistry and oral medicine.

Evidence-Based Dentistry Accomplished Faculty Category
Parish P. Sedghizadeh, D.D.S., M.S., has received the Evidence-Based Dentistry Award in the Accomplished Faculty category. He is a member of the ADA, ADEA and AADR/AADOCR, as well as a board-certified oral and maxillofacial pathologist and highly cited clinical scientist, having published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Sedghizadeh is currently a Professor of Clinical Dentistry at the University of Southern California (USC) Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. He has served in several leadership positions, including leading predoctoral student research for the past 20 years. Additionally, Dr. Sedghizadeh is faculty advisor to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Student Research Group, which strives to help dental students gain an appreciation and understanding of evidence-based dentistry, and is heavily involved in the largest research event at USC.

Evidence-Based Dentistry Mid-Career Faculty Category
Chenshuang Li, D.D.S., Ph.D., D.M.D., has received the Evidence-Based Dentistry Award in the Mid-Career Faculty category. Dr. Li completed her Ph.D. training in Orthodontics at the School and Hospital of Stomatology at Peking University in collaboration with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Dental and Craniofacial Research Institute in 2016 and finished her orthodontic specialist training at UCLA School of Dentistry in 2019. Most recently, she earned her D.M.D. from Penn Dental Medicine in 2022. Dr. Li served as an Assistant Professor from 2020-2025 and is currently an Associate Professor and the Clinical Director in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She has been directly involved in didactic teaching, clinical mentoring, patient care and research with dental students and orthodontic residents. Dr. Li has been involved in more than 80 publications – 59 as the first or corresponding author – and has received multiple awards and scholarships.

Evidence-Based Dentistry Practice Category
Nicole McGrath-Barnes, D.D.S., FACD, has received the Evidence-Based Dentistry Award in the Practice category for her dedication and involvement as the Founder and CEO of the KinderSmile Foundation. Dr. McGrath-Barnes changed her career trajectory to Public Health Dentistry following the devasting death of Deamonte Driver, a 12-year-old boy from Maryland who died from a tooth infection that traveled to his brain. Following his passing, Dr. McGrath-Barnes founded the KinderSmile Foundation, a nonprofit organization that bridges the gap in access to oral health care for vulnerable communities in New Jersey through direct services in dental homes and community programs. She also spearheads the Perinatal Health and Wellness Program, which contributes to New Jersey’s efforts to improve the maternal health crisis, an issue that disproportionately affects Black mothers. Dr. McGrath-Barnes completed the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership program in 2010 and was named Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in the state of New Jersey by the ADA in 2022. She was also inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists.

For more information about the Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research, visit https://www.ada.org/about/volunteer-and-get-involved-with-the-ada/norton-m-ross-award-of-excellence-in-clinical-research.

See more information about evidence-based resources.

Editor’s Note: Reporters are invited to follow the ADA on Instagram @americandentalassociation and #ADASmileCon for updates from SmileCon.

About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing 159,000 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 has long been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), published monthly, is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org.

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Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health through the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached approximately 1.7 billion children and their families since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how we are building a future to smile about, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com.

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