Scholarship provides dental infection control education and certification
More than 50 dental professionals were awarded the 2026 ADS-DANB-DALE Foundation Andrew Whitehead Education and Certification Scholarship. This scholarship provides infection prevention and control education and certification to individuals working in dentistry, removing financial barriers to these important resources and credentials.
Established in 2024, the scholarship is the result of a collaborative effort between the Association for Dental Safety (ADS), the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), and the DALE Foundation, based on the shared belief that every dental professional plays a pivotal role in ensuring safe and high-quality dental care.
Recipients will receive complimentary access to the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate or to the education and exam to become Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control (CDIPC) or Dental Industry Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control (DISIPC) certified. They will also receive one year of complimentary ADS premium membership.
The scholarship recipients serve in a variety of positions, including dental assisting, dental hygiene, dental office management, education, sales, and other roles in the dental profession.
The scholarship was established by Andrew “Andy” Whitehead and his family through their generous initial funding, with additional support from key partners across the dental industry and profession. Through Andy’s extensive leadership experience with Henry Schein, Patterson, and Crosstex, he gained an appreciation for the critical role dental team members play in driving practice success and strong patient relationships. These insights inspired him to create a scholarship dedicated to supporting the growth and impact of dental professionals.
2026 Education and Certification Scholarship Recipients
| Darice Baird | Irene Garcia | Elly Quinn |
| Robyn Bartz | Karensa Heflin | Samantha Reeder |
| Karen Behrens | Loni Hefner | Kelly Ross |
| Autumn Brooks | Alexis Jensen | Cheryl Salcido-Engols |
| Unurbileg Buyanjargal | Shelley Johnshoy | Liliana Valladolid Salas |
| Karen Chandley | Elizabeth Johnson | Stephanie Savaiano-Calderon |
| Melissa Chapman | Kasey Kauffman | Staci Schory |
| Nelly Chawla | Shanta Keyes | Alden Silva Jr. |
| Erica Clifton | Anne Koehne | Jillian Spencer |
| David Cramp | Kimberly Little | Joy Sykes |
| Ellen F. Darius | Diana Loi | Andrea Tresner |
| Christian DeLong | Whitney Mayberry | Anita Trieu |
| Shimirimana Eliya | Kimberly Miller | Rashawn Weathers |
| Erica Evans | Catherine Monchik | Priscilla Wicks |
| Ana Flores | Sabrina Gambuto O’Shea | Mellissa Wilson |
| Danielle Ford | Kaleigh Olivera | |
| Tiffany Forslund | Maria Perez |
2026 Education Scholarship Recipients
| Aisha Alghfeli | ||
| Victoria Cabello | ||
| Ashley Millon | ||
| Miranda Otto | ||
| Jennifer Prather |
About Andrew Whitehead
Andrew “Andy” Whitehead has more than 50 years of extensive experience in the dental profession. As a founding member of the Association for Dental Safety (ADS), he currently holds the position of Chief Engagement & Relationship Officer. Throughout his remarkable career, Andy has taken on various leadership roles, including interim Executive Director, Chairman of the ADS Association, and Chairman of the ADS Foundation.
His executive background includes serving in key positions with industry giants Patterson Dental, Henry Schein, and Crosstex. Andy has also contributed his expertise to the American Dental Assistants Association and Dental Trade Alliance Foundation Boards.
In addition to his professional commitments, Andy is actively involved with the America’s Dentists Care Foundation Board. Notably, he is recognized for his fundraising and auctioneer skills, having raised over $3 million for ADS and other nonprofits within the dental industry. Andy’s dedication and multifaceted contributions have left a lasting impact on the dental community.
About ADS
The Association for Dental Safety (ADS) is the only nonprofit membership association for oral healthcare professionals that focuses exclusively on dental infection prevention and patient and provider safety. ADS helps operationalize dental infection control and safety laws, regulations, guidelines, standards, and best practices to ensure every dental visit is a safe visit.
About DANB and the DALE Foundation
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as the national certification board for dental assistants. DANB exams and certifications are recognized or required by 39 states and the District of Columbia. The DALE Foundation is DANB’s official affiliate for education and scholarships.