Introducing the 2022 10 Under 10 Award winners!
The ADA 10 Under 10 Award honors dentistry's rising stars: dentists who are making an impact in the profession less than 10 years after graduating from dental school.
The 2022 winners are driving dentistry forward and inspiring their colleagues through their work in science, research & education, practice excellence, philanthropy, leadership and advocacy.
After reviewing more than 68 submissions, these are the all-stars who rose to the top:
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine - 2014
The leader of dental oncology at New York University College of Dentistry, Dr. Dalal Alhajji is an advocate for how personalized dental care contributes to the overall health of patients with cancer. Dr. Alhajji received her Doctor of Dental Medicine in 2014 at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. After dental school, she completed an ‘Advanced Education in General Dentistry’ residency at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, where she also earned her Master of Science in Dentistry degree in Oral Medicine. Dr. Alhajji is one of the few practicing dentists in the United States who completed a fellowship in Dental Oncology from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2019. She is a faculty member at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology and Medicine at NYU Dentistry, where she supervises students across three clinics: the Patient Admissions Clinic, Oral Medicine Clinic and Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities. She offers instruction and mentorship to students over a wide scope of dentistry procedures on individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. In addition, she serves as Faculty Representative on the Student Affairs Committee. Dr. Alhajji is passionate about organized dentistry and maintains membership in dental organizations at the local, state and national levels.
A.T. Still University – Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health – 2019
Dr. Lisa Bosch is an advocate for Rural Dentistry and Community Water Fluoridation in Missouri. Helping lead the way for the Clarence Cannon Wholesale Water Commission (CCWWC) Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) Project by serving on the Clarence Cannon Water Fluoridation Workgroup, Dr. Bosch provides insight to questions on the impact of fluoridation for the health of the rural communities. From 2015 to 2019, Dr. Bosch simultaneously received her Doctorate of Medical Dentistry and her Masters in Public Health from the A.T. Still University – Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health. Currently, Dr. Bosch serves as the Secretary on the University of Missouri Extension Council, is the President of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, and is the New Dentist Board Member and the Northeast Missouri New Dentist Representative at the Missouri Dental Association. In addition to her volunteer efforts, Dr. Bosch owns a private practice in Edina, Missouri where she provides restorative, pediatric, endodontic, oral surgery, and prosthodontic care to her patients.
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry – 2012
As a Major in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Ryan Gustafson provides comprehensive dental care to the armed forces and is a servant to his country and community. Prior to receiving his Advanced Education in General Dentistry from the David E. Grant Medical Center in 2013, Dr. Gustafson graduated from the U. S. Air Force Academy with Military Distinction in 2008 and received his DDS as a Distinguished Graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry in 2012. Dr. Gustafson is board certified by the American Board of General Dentistry and lectures for the Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship Review Course. He currently serves at the 72nd Medical Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma where he directs sedation and surgical services for nine dentists and manages a dental laboratory with the latest CAD/CAM and 3D printing technology. As a trained Infection Preventionist, he developed several best practices in the early COVID era. Major Gustafson has been recognized as an Air Force Major Command Clinical Dentist of the Year four times and decorated with an Air Force Commendation Medal for an Act of Courage. In his spare time, Dr. Gustafson has dedicated over 1,100 hours with the Veteran and senior home visits including "USO style" World War II song and dance performances with a volunteer troupe.
University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston – 2018
As a Dental Director at the La Clinica De Familia Inc. in Chaparral, New Mexico, Dr. Tanya Sue Maestas provides quality dental care to patients in the surrounding community, participates in clinical administrative duties, and provides dental education and oral hygiene instructions to patients and is currently a faculty member and advisor at the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine in El Paso, TX. Serving as the American Student Dental Association’s President from 2017-2018, Dr. Maestas graduated from the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston, earning her Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2018 and went on to receive her Advanced Education in General Dentistry Certificate in 2019. She is currently attending A.T. Still University College of Dentistry of Graduate Health Studies where she will receive her Master of Public Health-Dental Emphasis with a Dental Public Health Residency Certificate. Presently, Dr. Maestas serves as an ADA Success speaker, is the new dentist member to the ADA Council on Communications, is the new dentist liaison to the Council on Dental Licensing Standards and Education at the Texas Dental Association, is a Director with the El Paso District Dental Society, and serves on the Communications Committee at the Hispanic Dental Association.
University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Dentistry – 2012
As a fourth generation dentist, Dr. Emily Mattingly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2008 and went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, School of Dentistry in 2012. Working alongside her husband and father at McCoy Samples Mattingly Dental, Dr. Mattingly provides care to patients in underserved areas in rural north Missouri. Dr. Mattingly currently serves on the New Dentist Committee, the Education Committee, and the Board of Trustees for the Missouri Dental Association. Previously, Dr. Mattingly served as a student and component delegate to the Missouri Dental Association's House of Delegates starting in, and later began serving at the national level as an alternate delegate and delegate to the American Dental Association's House of Delegates from 2014 - 2017. She continued her service in 2017 and became a member of the ADA New Dentist Committee, which she then chaired in 2020. Dr. Mattingly is advocate for the success of the dental profession and oral health. She has enjoyed yearly involvement with legislators and dental students at MDA and ADA Lobby Days and had served as the new dentist member on ADPAC in 2018 and 2019. When she is not practicing, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Dr. David Mattingly, and their three children, Elliott, Elyse, and Adah Pearl.
Virginia Commonwealth University – 2013
Co-founder of Kids Tooth Team Outreach, a 501c3 school-based mobile dental home providing free dental care to underserved children in Texas, Dr. Alexandra Otto makes sure that no child in need is denied access to a dental home because of their socioeconomic status or geographic location. In addition to her non-profit organization, she also co-founded Kids Tooth Team Pediatric Dentistry, a privately owned pediatric specialty small group practice with locations in Buda and Austin. Prior to receiving her Advance Education in Pediatric Dentistry in 2020 at the New York University Langone Health – Alaska, Dr. Otto attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she obtained her Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2013, and Denver Health Medical Center where she received her Certificate of General Practice Residency in 2014. Dr. Otto is currently a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and American College of Dentists, an ADA Success Program speaker, and serves as a Board member to the Southwest Society of Pediatric Dentistry and Capital Area Dental Society. Previously, Dr. Otto served as the American Student Dental Association’s National Vice President, was a member of the national Academy of General Dentistry’s Membership Council, served as an ASDA consultant to the ADA New Dentist Committee and ADA Council on Membership, and is a graduate of the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership.
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities - 2012
Pediatric dentist and partner at K.O.A.L.A. Dental Care in Saint Cloud, MN, Dr. Aruna Rao provides comprehensive pediatric dentistry, hospital dentistry and early orthodontic services for children and adolescents, including those with special healthcare needs of all types across 3 locations and 100 miles of West Central Minnesota. She is passionate about serving others and teaching students as a clinical adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry as well as her involvement in organized dentistry. Dr. Rao has shown commitment to organized dentistry over the years and currently serves on the ADA Council on Membership, is the chair of the Minnesota Dental Association’s (MDA) Membership Committee, former Chair of the MDA's New Dentist Committee, and was an ADA Delegate in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Previously, she graduated from the ADA’s Institute for Diversity Leadership in 2019, received the ASDA Award of Excellence and the Eleanor Bushee Award in 2012, and received the MDA’s New Dentist of the Year in 2020. She is on the local committee to bring the Mission of Mercy (MNMoM) to Saint Cloud in 2022. Dr. Rao graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in 2012, receiving her Doctor of Dental Surgery and went on to receive her Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2014.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine – 2016
A previous graduate of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 2016 where he received his Doctorate of Dental Medicine and served as class President, Dr. Justin Sheinbaum is currently enrolled at the University of California-Los Angeles where he is Chief Resident of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. During his residency, Dr. Sheinbaum has dedicated his time to lobby, represent, and improve the lives and well-being of his colleagues at UCLA. Spearheading efforts to give dental residents of the UCLA School of Dentistry the opportunity to join the UCLA Medical Center Resident Union, Dr. Sheinbaum’s efforts led to 92 dental residents receiving a salary and benefits package worth more than $15,000 each year, equivalent to their medical counterparts. Previously, Dr. Sheinbaum received the Student Award from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the Outstanding Student Leader Award from the American College of Dentists in 2016. In addition to his leadership and advocacy roles at UCLA, he joins volunteer missions for the Thousand Smiles Foundation in Ensenada, Mexico, where he assists with the surgical management of children with cleft lip and palate.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine - 2013
As a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), Dr. Harlyn K. Susarla is an advocate for children’s oral health and has a strong commitment to service. Dr. Susarla obtained her dental degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 2013 and completed her residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 2016. She currently serves on the Nominations Committee and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup for the Washington State Dental Association, and is a Delegate and a member of the Special Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Leadership Development and Membership Committees for the Seattle-King County Dental Society. A past president of the Washington State Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Susarla is a Washington State Representative for the Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry. Nationally, she is the New Diplomate Representative for the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as a consultant on both the AAPD Council on Scientific Affairs and the Committee on Early Career Pediatric Dentists. Dr. Susarla currently practices in Seattle, Washington and is a staff member at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She lives in Seattle with her husband and two daughters.
Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine – 2018
Dr. Anchita Venkatesh, a 2013 graduate from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bangalore, India where she received her Bachelor of Dental Surgery, has focused her practice to serve patients with special needs. Once moving to the United States, Dr. Venkatesh completed her Doctorate of Dental Medicine in 2018 from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and then went on to receive her certificate of General Practice residency from the Yale New Haven Health Hospital/Yale University School of Medicine. Currently enrolled at the University of Southern California to receive her Master of Science in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine, Dr. Venkatesh is also the Program Director at the Alameda Health System, Highlight Hospital where she performs complete dental rehabilitation to patients under general anesthesia, various dental procedures to patients under nitrous, and patients under conscious sedation for special needs and medically comprised patients. Having been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Dentists in America and receiving Outstanding Clinician of the Year in 2021, Dr. Venkatesh is currently working on a mobile application that can be used as a dental visual sound board for autistic patients.
Meet your past 10 Under 10 Award winners HERE!