AGD has named Jeffrey P. Okeson, DMD, as the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Thaddeus V. Weclew Award, the organization’s highest honor recognizing excellence in dental education.

A renowned expert in orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), Okeson has spent more than four decades advancing the field through teaching, research and clinical practice. He has delivered more than 1,350 lectures across all 50 states and 61 countries, authored more than 260 scientific publications, and written two landmark textbooks that are widely used by dental professionals worldwide.

Currently dean of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, Okeson is recognized for his ability to translate complex concepts into practical clinical knowledge that dentists can apply immediately in patient care. His work has helped generations of practitioners better diagnose and treat patients suffering from chronic facial pain and TMDs.

“Dr. Okeson can take a profoundly complex topic and help a novice begin to understand and treat this underserved area of our profession the very next day,” said Kimberly R. Wright, DMD, MAGD, AGD vice president.

Okeson was honored during the Convocation Ceremony at AGD2026, June 24 in Las Vegas.