The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recently honored California general dentist Yolanda Mangrum, DDS, MAGD, with its 2020 Humanitarian Award during its Annual Meeting Oct. 23, held virtually due to COVID-19. Mangrum is being recognized because of her dedication to the field of dentistry and her extraordinary commitment and service to her local, regional and global community.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to be the 2020 AGD Humanitarian Award Recipient,” Mangrum said. “Throughout my 20 plus years with the Academy, I have developed lasting friendships with dedicated colleagues and witnessed the advocacy work done on my behalf. To be acknowledged by my esteemed colleagues truly leaves me in awe. My life’s mantra is ‘Live wisely, love well and serve greatly.’ Being a general dentist has truly afforded me the opportunity to live life well and in service to others. Humanitarian work requires leadership, commitment and, most of all, consciousness to the circumstances of other people’s lives.”

The Humanitarian Award is presented to an AGD member who has displayed exemplary service to the profession and their community. An advocate for oral health, Mangrum has integrated a career of dentistry and community service, finding a balance between personal life, career and philanthropy. Inspired to pursue dentistry as a child, Mangrum attributes her own childhood oral health challenges to her passion for dentistry and helping others maintain a beautiful smile.

“Dr. Mangrum’s acts of service are extensive and wide ranging,” said Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, MAGD, president of AGD. “The world is truly a better place due to the many ways she uses her vocation to improve our communities and the world. She is an exceptional person and general dentist, and we are grateful to have this opportunity to honor her work.”

Mangrum, is a longtime active member of the Northern California AGD with a dental practice in Petaluma and home in Sonoma, California, an area severely impacted in 2017 by one of the worst firestorms to hit the area. Within a short period of time after the notice that the fire had hit her area, Mangrum sprang into action, activating her network of colleagues and community partners to assist fire evacuees and victims. Opening her practice and education center as locations for contributions and distribution, Mangrum and her team were able to provide people with essential supplies and needed resources, such as facemasks, water, food, blankets, clothing, socks, hats, soap, face cloths, towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, lotion and eating utensils.

Mangrum’s commitment of philanthropic service to others span beyond the borders of her local and regional communities. For nearly a decade, she has contributed funds to Ecuadent and in 2019 supported her dental assistant to go to Ecuador for a dental mission. In 2019, Mangrum packed up her family and traveled overseas to serve on dental missions in Haiti and Vietnam. Mangrum states that when we all give, the world gives back.

She has used her skills as a dentist and her passion to develop purpose and connect people to creating an environment that enhances continuing education and learning overall. She used her own resources to fund and build the Luminary Center, a learning space for continuing dental and medical education. Her vision for the Luminary Education Center is to inspire and influence others through the pathways of education and defining purpose.

Mangrum has been active in organized dentistry and has served AGD at the local, state and national levels. She was president of the Northern California and California AGD. In 2001, AGD recognized her for meeting the requirements of Fellowship, and she became an AGD Master in 2007. In 2011 she was recognized as California Dentist of the Year.

Mangrum resides in Sonoma, California, with her husband and two children.