The Denobi Awards celebrated its 6th Annual Gala on Feb. 28 in Portland, Oregon, honoring nine individual leaders, two clinical teams, and one Pinnacle Achievement recipient for their extraordinary contributions to the dental profession.
Created to spotlight the unsung heroes of dentistry, the Denobi Awards recognize clinicians, innovators, advocates, educators, founders, and teams who are making meaningful impact in real time. Unlike traditional industry accolades, the program reaches into every corner of the profession to elevate those advancing care, expanding access, strengthening leadership, and building healthier communities.
According to co-founder Dr. Sonya Dunbar, “This is not about trophies. It is about truth, service, and the people who show up for this profession every single day.”
“Denobi exists to unite the profession around contribution,” said co-founder Melissa K. Turner. “We are committed to raising up voices that do not always get the spotlight and celebrating the people doing the work that moves dentistry forward.”
The 2026 individual recipients are Brad Hughes, DDS, founder and CEO; Brenda McNulty, founder and CEO; Debora Carrier, RDH, CEO and founder; Divian Narendra Patel, DDS, BDS, co-founder; Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc, president; Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH, FADHA; Linda Harvey, RDH, MS, HRM; Paul D Slowey, PhD, CEO; and Rachel Sanner, RDA, SOA.
The 2026 Clinical Team Award recipients are Salem Dental Arts and Smiles Across Montana.
The evening concluded with the Dr. Lou Shuman Denobi Pinnacle Achievement Award presented to Dr. Brett Kessler, past president of the American Dental Association. Dr. Kessler was recognized for his national leadership, commitment to collaboration and mental wellness, and transformative impact on organized dentistry.
The Denobi Awards have become one of the most sought-after recognitions in dentistry, with hundreds of nominations submitted annually from across the United States and internationally. The program reflects a growing movement within the profession to honor not only clinical excellence but also service, innovation, mentorship, and community impact.
Founded in 2019 to elevate dentistry’s most impactful contributors, the Denobi Awards celebrate leaders who are advancing the profession one smile at a time. By honoring unsung heroes across every role and specialty, the program continues to unite the industry around service, innovation, and purpose.
The 7th Annual Denobi Awards Gala will take place on March 13, 2027, in Portland, Oregon. Nominations for the 2027 program will open October 1 and close December 31. Dental professionals, teams, and organizations are encouraged to submit nominations recognizing individuals and teams making a meaningful difference in the profession today. Organizations interested in partnering with or supporting the Denobi Awards are invited to connect directly. More information is available at www.denobiawards.com or by contacting info@denobiawards.com.
