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Education has been central to the Foundation for Endodontics’ mission since its inception

This article is an excerpt of the Foundation’s 2020 issue of FOCUS. You can read the full issue here.

Annually, the foundation raises at least $1 million to fund programs like the Endodontic Educator Fellowship Award which supports outstanding educators who commit a minimum of five years to a full-time academic career in endodontics. Recipients of the award receive up to $250,000 in funding, disbursed over five years, in recognition of the critical role educators play in strengthening the specialty. The fellowship ensures that outstanding educators and departments have the support needed to confidently train endodontists and dentists alike.

In the summer of 2019, the foundation was pleased to name Dr. Laurel Burns, D.D.S., M.S., the 2019 Endodontic Educator Fellow. Dr. Burns is an instructor in the Department of Endodontics at New York University and founded the NYU College of Dentistry Saturday Academy, a pipeline program for underrepresented minority high school students. The program has been presented nationally and has had outcome data accepted for publication in the Journal of Dental Education. We are excited to see Dr. Burns’ leadership and expertise flourish as an educator fellow and beyond.

Dr. Lorel Burns was named the 2019 Endodontic Educator Fellow

The foundation has remained dedicated to supporting educators like Dr. Burns, awarding 24 individuals with The Endodontic Educator Fellowship since 2001. This impactful program earned the foundation the Geis Award for Achievement in 2020. The ADEA Gies Foundation William J. Gies Achievement Award – Public or Private Partner recognized the foundation for its initiative to support full-time endodontic educators.

By supporting educators through grants and fellowships, the foundation demonstrates that education is key to making a lasting impact on strengthening the endodontic specialty.

“Supporting full-time educators, who bring value and experience to the clinic where future specialists are being educated, is only possible thanks to our generous donors who believe in excellence and a strong future for endodontics. We are thrilled and honored to win the Gies Award for Achievement – Public or Private Partner. The Foundation for Endodontics is an outstanding example of how excellence in dental education can be cultivated and rewarded, and I couldn’t be prouder of our organization!”
–Foundation Immediate Past President Dr. Mary T. Pettiette