Dave Sullivan, DMD, MAGD, Receives AGD Humanitarian Award
Pennsylvania Dentist Dave A. Sullivan, DMD, MAGD, was recently presented the Humanitarian Award by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) during its annual meeting on Nov. 10, 2023, in Chicago. The Humanitarian Award is presented each year to a dentist who contributes voluntary service in conjunction with a consistent commitment to enhancing the image of general dentistry through the continuous delivery of quality dental care. The awardee also must demonstrate leadership in areas of civic involvement. Sullivan, who has been an AGD member for almost 30 years, was nominated for his service to the profession as a dental educator and mentor. (Watch a brief tribute video.)
"Education and mentorship are two key pillars of the AGD and Dr. Sullivan has displayed both throughout his dental career,” said Merlin Ohmer, DDS, MAGD, AGD President. “He has devoted a significant amount of time in grooming young dentists and just as equal is his commitment to expanding access to oral care through local community missions."
Sullivan is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, where he currently serves as an assistant professor of restorative dentistry. He has worked with the Veterans Hospital in Pittsburgh for 29 years and has served as the general practice residency director for the past 15 years. In 1994, Sullivan joined the AGD and has served in many capacities. In 2011, he was awarded Fellowship and later received his Mastership designation in 2015. He presented at the AGD Fellowship Review Course in 2013 and again in 2017 with high praise. In 2018, Sullivan received his Lifelong Learning Service Award from the AGD.
Since becoming a dentist, Sullivan has led a career of teaching and mentoring others in dentistry. Whether it was working in the capacity of academia or presenting professional seminars, his peers praise him for the time he has dedicated to the service of others.
Sullivan donated countless hours in direct patient care as a volunteer at the Mission of Mercy Pennsylvania for the past 14 years and countless more to the Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh. Since launching Mission of Mercy Pennsylvania, he and his peers went on to host 10 missions. Two of those missions were conducted in Allentown with the other missions taking place in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Erie, Reading, Wilkes-Barre, Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, and York. In 2021, Sullivan coordinated 1000 dental chair visits with eight specialty clinics, providing over 14,500 procedures treating over 4,200 patients. To date, with the assistance of 8,130 volunteers, the Mission of Mercy Pennsylvania has completed over 54,500 procedures on 13, 575 patients worth an estimated cost of donated services of $8,902,573.
About the Academy of General Dentistry
Founded in 1952, AGD is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. AGD provides its nearly 40,000 members with the resources, support and education to deliver exceptional dental care and oral health education. AGD’s mission is “to advance general dentistry and oral health through quality continuing education and advocacy.”