Each year, the Annual Awards Committee selects for the PDA Recognition Award a dentist:
- who has contributed original research,
- whose significant achievements and high standards have been of such character as to have materially aided and
- advanced the science and art of dentistry or
- whose public life and activities have been of such a nature as to reflect great credit upon the health profession.
Dr. Letra is a tenured Professor in the Departments of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and Endodontics and Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. With her scholarly work in more than 200 publications, Dr. Letra is among the most highly cited investigators; a testament to her work’s significance and role in shaping contemporary understanding of oral disease, craniofacial development and precision dentistry.
Her publication, “Genome-wide Association Study Identifies Novel Risk Loci for Apical Periodontitis,” published in the Journal of Endodontics in 2023 redefines our understanding of apical periodontitis and was honored with the Journal’s Best Paper in Clinical Research Award for 2024. Dr. Letra and her team identified novel genetic risk loci that contribute to disease susceptibility as well as distinct genetic variation contributing to the disease in males and females as a likely reason for the different prevalences and clinical manifestations of apical periodontitis among individuals.
2024 marked the second time Dr. Letra won the Journal of Endodontics Best Paper in Clinical Research Award. Her 2019 award-winning paper explored the connections between endodontic pathology and cardiovascular disease, placing her at the forefront of oral-systemic health research.
Dr. Letra’s groundbreaking scientific influence is amplified by her dedication mentorship, education and professional leadership. PDA is pleased to recognize Dr. Letra’s numerous research achievements and honor her dedication as an educator.
2026 Award Winner
Past Recipients of the PDA Recognition Award
| 1977 – Dr. George P. Boucek | 2002 – Dr. Gregory D. Pence | 2022 – Dr. Stanley J. Heleniak |
| 1978 – Mr. Henry Thornton | 2003 – Dr. Susan E. Calderbank | 2023 – Dr. R. Donald Hoffman |
| 1983 – Dr. Gerald J. Cox | 2004 – Dr. Leonard Abrams | 2024 – Dr. Roopali Kulkarni |
| 1986 – Dr. Arthur C. McFeaters* | 2006 – Dr. Dennis N. Ranalli | 2025 – Dr. Hyeran Helen Jeon |
| 1987 – Dr. H. William Gross | 2008 – Dean Marjorie K. Jeffcoat | 2026 – Dr. Ariadne Letra, MS, PhD |
| 1988 – Dr. Anthony L. Checchio | 2009 – Dr. Elliot V. Hersh | |
| 1990 – Dr. Emanuel Ploumis | 2012 – Dr. Thomas W. Braun | |
| 1991 – Dr. Betty J. McWilliams | 2015 – Dr. Steven R. Jefferies | |
| 1992 – Dr. Manuel M. Album | 2016 – Dr. Susan M. Chialastri | |
| 1993 – Dr. C. Everett Koop | 2017 – Dr. Paul A. Moore | |
| 1994 – Dr. Benedict Kimmelman | 2018 – Dr. Thomas P. Sollecito | |
| 1995 – Dr. Samuel B. Detweiler | 2019 – Dr. Bernie P. Dishler | |
| 1996 – Dr. David C. Hamilton | 2020 – Dr. Mark S. Wolff | |
| 2021 – Dr. R. Donald Hoffman |
*Posthumously