31 March 2023

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Academy of Osseointegration honors Dr. Steven Eckert

Paola Omini

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For more than 40 years, Dr. Steven Eckert, DDS, has been one of the most prominent names in implant dentistry, winning several awards throughout his career and serving as a mentor and coach for many prosthodontists in the ClearChoice Dental Implant Center network. While he is now retired, his accomplishments continue to significantly impact the field. 

Eckert was recently honored by the Academy of Osseointegration with the organization’s Distinguished Service Award, according to a news release.

The Distinguished Service Award is the highest tribute the Academy can pay to one of its members. It is awarded to individuals for outstanding clinical, educational or scientific achievement, contribution to implant dentistry or exemplary service to the academy. In addition, the academy celebrates individuals who have made broad contributions over time that may have resulted in any one or more of the following:

• Scientific Research
• Evolution of the knowledge base that guides practice
• Enhancement of education programs
• Significant changes in governance or the political milieu for implant dentistry
• New understanding of tissue replacement therapies in oral and facial care, and
• Improved patient care, satisfaction, and outcome

“Today, we have a level of knowledge in the field of osseointegration that we never thought we would see 25 to 30 years ago,” said Eckert in the news release. “We’ve seen this explosion of knowledge that is truly impressive and has done a wonderful service for our patients.”

Prior to his retirement at the end of 2022, Eckert practiced for over 40 years with 25 of those years at the Mayo Clinic, where he served as the prosthodontic program director for 15 years and as the director or examiner for the American Board of Prosthodontics, a peer elected position. 

During his tenure at ClearChoice, Eckert opened and served as the primary prosthodontist at ClearChoice Minneapolis in Edina, Minnesota from 2010 to 2018, and he served as the director of clinical research and development for ClearChoice Management Services, the administrative support team that serves the ClearChoice Dental Implant Center network. 

In 2017, he was the recipient of three prestigious awards: the Academy of Osseointegration Brånemark Osseointegration Award honoring an individual’s impact on, and leadership in, the field of implant dentistry; the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics Ackerman Award that honors significant contributions to the advancement of this special area of practice; and the American College of Prosthodontists Dan Gordon Award recognizing lifetime achievement.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented on Thursday, March 16 prior to the opening session of the academy’s annual meeting in Phoenix. During the meeting, ClearChoice network Dr. Amirali Zandinejad, DDS, and Sameh El-Ebrashi presented on topics related to 3D printing, digital workflow and fixed-detachable hybrid prostheses.