ATSU-ASDOH alumni honored in Incisal Edge magazine’s ‘40 Under 40’
Posted: August 27, 2020
A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) alumni were recently honored by Incisal Edge magazine with the “40 Under 40” award. For the past 10 years, Incisal Edge has celebrated dentists, ages 40 and under, for their achievements and dedication to their craft.
“The ‘40 Under 40’ list includes innovative and passionate young professionals in dentistry across the United States. Hundreds of individuals are nominated by industry experts from around the country and vetted by an independent panel to select the final 80. Whether renowned for their medical innovations, volunteer work and philanthropy, or simply a commitment to outstanding patient care, these 80 honorees represent the best of dentistry today, and the promise of even better dentistry tomorrow,” according to a press release announcing the awards.
Three ATSU-ASDOH alumni were selected for the honor and will be featured in a more in-depth Incisal Edge article in September. Awardees were separated into two categories: general dentist and dental specialist.
We asked our ATSU-ASDOH alumni to tell us what this honor means to them and how ATSU-ASDOH has impacted their journey.
General dentist category:
Charmaine Ng, DMD, ’09, was also recently named “Woman to Watch” by Incisal Edge.
“I am overjoyed to receive this recognition as one of the top ‘40 Under 40’ dentists in the country. I find it a great honor to represent the public health sector of the dental profession in this award. Historically, dentists in private offices have been mostly recognized for these types of awards, but I am excited to see the field of dentistry broadening and the awardees more diversified,” Dr. Ng said. “ASDOH and A.T. Still University have nurtured and supported me in achieving excellence in my career as a dentist in public health and as a community leader. I hope I can continue to shine a light on healthcare disparities through my work and provide quality, comprehensive, and integrated oral health care to those that need it the most.”
Jonny Brennan, MD, DMD, ’11, MPH, ATSU-ASDOH associate dean of innovation and curriculum
“Being part of ATSU-ASDOH, both as an alum and now as a faculty, is both a source of pride and a humbling experience,” Dr. Brennan said. “I’m continually impressed by so many faculty, students, and staff that are committed to the underserved, and developing current and future leaders in oral health, particularly for at risk populations. Together, we are making a significant impact.”
Dental specialist category:
Matthew Dahar, DMD, ’12
“I am so honored and grateful to be selected for this year’s Incisal Edge ‘40 Under 40’ award. I truly feel that I would not have been able to continue to achieve my dreams of becoming a pediatric dentist and opening my own practice if it was not for the exceptional guidance and mentorship that I received from the faculty and staff at ATSU-ASDOH,” Dr. Dahar said. “In particular, I want to thank Joseph Creech, DDS, associate professor, director of pediatric dentistry, who I consider the Michael Jordan of pediatric dentistry! He is not only the best pediatric dentist in the country but also a dear friend and mentor of mine. ATSU-ASDOH should feel truly fortunate to have such an exceptional pediatric dentist, and even better person, as a part of their distinguished faculty. In my opinion, ATSU-ASDOH sets a graduate up to be ready for the real world of dentistry better than any other dental school in the country.”