The American Dental Education Association's ADEAGies Foundation recently honored recipients of the 2018 William J. Gies Awards for Vision, Innovation and Achievement. Among the distinguished standouts was Dr. David W. Chambers, professor of dental education at the Dugoni School, who was selected for the "Gies Award for Achievement - Dental Educator" based on his decades of contributions to the field of dental education.

The awards were officially presented during a black-tie gala held March 19 during the ADEA Annual Session in Orlando, Fla.

"The many achievements of Dr. Chambers include championing competency-based education, advancing humanism in dental education, managing a three-year DDS curriculum, raising standards through quality assurance, and publishing thought leadership and research that has changed dental education and the wider profession," said Dr. Nader Nadershahi, dean of the Dugoni School of Dentistry. "This is well-deserved recognition and we are so proud of Dr. Chambers and his more than four decades of leadership and involvement in education and oral healthcare."

Dr. Chambers continues to usher in new achievements. Most recently, he launched the Clinical Judgment Laboratory, making the Dugoni School of Dentistry one of the first dental schools in the world to formally introduce such a lab. The virtual lab places dentists' clinical judgment as both the driving force of improving oral health and a topic for rigorous scientific study. It is a collaboration of scholars, practitioners, policy makers, and industry representatives seeking to understand and influence dentists' clinical judgment by creating and sharing theory and data.

Named after William J. Gies, Ph.D., the Gies Awards honor individuals and organizations that exemplify the highest standards in oral health and dental education, research and leadership. The ten honorees were chosen by a panel of judges and leading industry experts, including the ADEAGies Foundation's Board of Trustees.

"Our distinguished 2018 Gies Awards winners are transforming academic dentistry and oral health and advancing my grandfather's legacy," noted William J. Gies, II, ADEAGies Foundation Board of Trustee Member. "It is critical to recognize the tireless efforts of dental educators and institutions who ‘move the needle' in oral health."

The complete list of 2018 ADEA Gies Award winners is available online. 

The Dugoni School family has been recognized over the years with a total of four Gies Awards, including this most recent award for Dr. Chambers. In 2017, the Dugoni School's Pacific Center for Special Care received the Gies Award for "Outstanding Innovation - Academic Dental Institution." In 2011, the Dugoni School received the Gies Award for "Outstanding Vision - Academic Dental Institution" and in 2009, Dean Emeritus Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni received the Gies Award for "Outstanding Achievement - Dental Educator."