The PDA Public Service Award may be presented to an individual or group (ADA dentist or non-dentist) who has brought national recognition to Pennsylvania through personal activities, actions or contributions that have improved the oral health of the public.
The Annual Award Committee may select an individual who, in its judgment:
- has led an effort to pass major legislation for the protection and enhancement of the oral health of citizens of Pennsylvania,
- led a regional or statewide access to dental care effort for the under-served populations,
- played a leading role and
- personally made a significant contribution in education of the public regarding the importance of good oral health,
- risked their personal and professional reputation to undertake public activities and positions on behalf of any public welfare issue or contributed significantly to community and/or charitable service.
Dr. Weyant has spent decades advancing oral health through public service, research, education and policy leadership. Currently, Dr. Weyant is Chair of the Department of Dental Public Health and Associate Dean for Public Health and Outreach at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Under his leadership, the school provides preventive and clinical services to thousands of vulnerable individuals each year.
An advocate for integrating public health principles into dental education, Dr. Weyant founded and led Pitt’s DMD/MPH dual degree program to ensure that graduates enter the profession prepared to address systemic disparities.
As Director of the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, Dr. Weyant helped generate important data on early childhood caries, maternal oral health, socio-behavioral determinants of disease and the unique needs of rural communities. This work continues to influence national public health programs, and Dr. Weyant has helped shape national oral health policy by serving on advisory panels for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Dr. Weyant is described as a compassionate leader and an unwavering advocate for those most often left behind in healthcare delivery. PDA is proud to honor Dr. Weyant for his efforts to advance oral health.
2026 Award Winner
Past Recipients of the PDA Public Service Award
| 1976 – Mrs. Ann Bixler | 2010 – Dr. Philip T. Siegel | 2025 – Dr. Miriam R. Robbins |
| 1977 – Mr. Stearl Sponaugle | 2011 – Dr. Peter J. Carroll | 2026 – Dr. Robert J. Weyant |
| 1977 – The Honorable Anita Kelly | 2011 – Dr. David A. Tecosky | |
| 1977 – The Honorable Marvin Miller Jr. | 2012 – Dr. Andrew D. Gould | |
| 1989 – Dr. Maurice K. Goddard | 2012 – Dr. John H. Kiessling | |
| 1991 – Dr. Eugene Czarnecki* | 2012 – Dr. Harry P. Meyers | |
| 1995 – PADIT Team Members | 2013 – Dr. E. Steven Moriconi | |
| 1996 – Dr. Eli Stavisky | 2014 – Dr. Gary S. Davis | |
| 1998 – Dr. Edwin Weaver | 2015 – Dr. David R. Russell | |
| 2001 – Dr. Julius Eingorn | 2016 – Dr. Charles A. Kosteva | |
| 2002 – Dr. Joseph J. Kohler III | 2016 – Mrs. Patricia L. Atno | |
| 2002 – Dr. David Shapter | 2017 – Dr. Kenneth A. Fetter | |
| 2002 – Mr. William Sesler, Esq. | 2018 – Community Volunteers in Medicine | |
| 2005 – Dr. John M. Bush | 2020 – Dr. Daniel W. Pituch | |
| 2006 – Dr. Joseph R. Greenberg | 2021 – Dr. Joan I. Gluch, PhD | |
| 2007 – Dr. Craig S. Pate | 2022 – Dr. Renee Fennell | |
| 2008 – Dean Martin F. Tansy | 2023 – Dr. William B. Trice* | |
| 2009 – Dental Society of Chester/Delaware Counties (GKAS Program) | 2024 – Dr. Bernadette Logan | |