Dentists from around the country gathered in Richmond, Virginia over the past weekend for the 113th annual National Dental Association (NDA) Convention. It was a time for connection, conversation and learning for dental professionals and our students who represented the School of Dentistry with pride.

Attendees engaged in a full slate of programming, from continuing education courses, galas and symposiums to an exhibit hall, reflecting the NDA’s commitment to advancing excellence in dental practice and leadership.

The annual NDA Awards Gala is a staple of the weekend-long event. It’s a time to honor and celebrate the remarkable achievements of dental professionals who have gone above and beyond and made significant contributions to the field of dentistry. 

This year, two members of the VCU SoD community were honored at the ceremony. Randy Adams, D.D.S., received the Legacy Award and Carlos Smith, D.D.S., M.Div., FACD, FICD, received the Torchbearer Award . 

The Legacy Award recognizes Adams’ lifelong dedication to dental education and patient care and the impact that he has made in his community and beyond. It is one of the NDA’s highest honors recognizing lifetime achievements creating lasting, transformative impact on the NDA and communities served. 

Adams received his D.D.S. from Howard University before starting his pediatric dentistry residency at VCU School of Dentistry in 1978. He currently serves as an affiliate faculty at VCU School of Dentistry and spent several decades working in private practice in Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood.

Adams made history as the first African American to graduate from the pediatric dentistry residency program at VCU SoD. Throughout his career, Adams has remained a pillar of the VCU SoD community, generously dedicating his time, expertise, and leadership to advancing the institution and supporting future generations of dental professionals. He has served as a mentor to countless dental students while they’re in school and after they graduate. For his achievements, he received a Trailblazer Award in 2023, sponsored by the MCV Foundation and organized by VCU Development and Alumni Relations.

Smith received the Torchbearer Award during the ceremony. This award honors the transition from SNDA to NDA leadership, celebrating members who carried their student commitment into professional service and continued to lead within the NDA. 

As the inaugural Associate Dean for Ethics and Community Engagement, Interim Dean of the Department of Dental Public Health and Policy, and professor with tenure at VCU SoD, Smith has made significant impact to the school. Beyond the clinic and classroom, he is involved in dental ethics discussions around the world. He currently serves as president of the American Society for Dental Ethics and serves on national advisory and editorial boards focused on professionalism, ethics, and dental education climate assessment. 

Congratulations to Drs Smith and Adams for their well-deserved recognitions.