28 May 2026

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ADS Scholarship Honors Dental Safety Leaders

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More than 50 dental professionals were awarded the 2026 ADS-DANB-DALE Foundation Andrew Whitehead Education and Certification Scholarship.

Established in 2024, the scholarship is the result of a collaborative effort between the Association for Dental Safety (ADS), the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), and the DALE Foundation , based on the shared belief that every dental professional plays a pivotal role in ensuring safe and high-quality dental care.

Recipients will receive complimentary access to the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate or to the education and exam to become Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control (CDIPC) or Dental Industry Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control (DISIPC) certified. They will also receive one year of complimentary ADS premium membership .

The scholarship recipients serve in a variety of positions, including dental assisting, dental hygiene, dental office management, education, sales, and other roles within the dental profession.

The scholarship was established by Andrew “Andy” Whitehead and his family through their generous initial funding, with additional support from key partners across the dental industry and profession. Through Andy’s extensive leadership experience with Henry Schein, Patterson, and Crosstex, he gained an appreciation for the critical role dental team members play in driving practice success and building strong patient relationships. These insights inspired him to create a scholarship dedicated to supporting the growth and impact of dental professionals.

2026 Education and Certification Scholarship Recipients

Andrew “Andy” Whitehead has more than 50 years of extensive experience in the dental profession. As a founding member of the Association for Dental Safety (ADS), he currently holds the position of Chief Engagement & Relationship Officer. Throughout his remarkable career, Andy has taken on various leadership roles, including interim Executive Director, Chairman of the ADS Association, and Chairman of the ADS Foundation.

His executive background includes serving in key positions with industry giants Patterson Dental, Henry Schein, and Crosstex. Andy has also contributed his expertise to the boards of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation (DTAF), and the America’s Dentists Care Foundation (ADCF).

Notably, he is recognized for his fundraising and auctioneer skills, having raised more than $3 million for ADS and other nonprofits within the dental industry. Andy’s dedication and multifaceted contributions have left a lasting impact on the dental community.

The Association for Dental Safety (ADS) is the only nonprofit membership association for oral healthcare professionals focused exclusively on dental infection prevention and patient and provider safety. ADS helps operationalize dental infection control and safety laws, regulations, guidelines, standards, and best practices to ensure every dental visit is a safe visit.

The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as the national certification board for dental assistants. DANB exams and certifications are recognized or required by 39 states and the District of Columbia.

The DALE Foundation is DANB’s official affiliate for education and scholarships.

Source: https://www.danb.org/