Dr. Beverly A. Largent Access to Care Innovator Award
Recognizing Excellence
The Access to Care Innovator Award seeks to recognize an individual whose passion and creativity allowed them to do more with less to provide dental care for underserved children. It also represents an opportunity for the Foundation to recognize an innovator of our own, the individual who took the first step in leading the Foundation into access to care: Dr. Beverly Largent.
Rewarding passion, commitment, and creativity
The Access to Care Innovator Award shines a light on someone making a big difference for little teeth
Their passion and commitment have led to creative solutions and problem-solving, allowing them to do more with less in order to provide dental care to underserved children.
This year’s winner will receive…
$10,000 Award
For their agency or organization that may be applied to any expense in support of Access to Care. (Upon receiving award, recipient must specify how the funds are being used).
A trip to AAPD 2025 in Denver
Airfare and accommodations for the recipient and a guest to attend AAPD 2025 in Denver, including two tickets to the AAPD Foundation donor appreciation reception, where the award will be given.
Meet our winner, Dr. Maria!
Dr. Maria Rita Z. Bernardo is a highly respected and compassionate dentist dedicated to improving access to dental care for underserved communities across West Virginia and beyond. With more than 28 years of experience in general dentistry, she has been a cornerstone of FamilyCare Health Centers since 2003, serving as Staff Dentist and Dental Clinical Team Lead.
In 2012, Dr. Bernardo launched and continues to lead FamilyCare’s Miles of Smiles Mobile Dental Unit, a school-based mobile program delivering preventive and restorative care to children in rural Appalachia—many of whom face significant barriers to care. She often travels up to 120 miles round trip to ensure that even small numbers of students receive treatment, prioritizing equity and compassion in every community she serves.
Dr. Bernardo’s dedication to service extends internationally. She has participated in dental missions across remote areas of the Philippines, providing extractions and education to communities with little or no access to dental care. This solidified her lifelong commitment to reaching the most vulnerable populations.
At FamilyCare, her work also includes providing care to women in recovery through a partnership with Recovery Point, volunteering with the West Virginia Chapter of the National Bleeding Disorder Foundation and connecting underinsured patients with resources to receive dentures and lab-based restorative work.
The 2025 Beverly A. Largent Access to Care Innovator Award is a testament to Dr. Bernardo’s tireless dedication, exemplary leadership, compassion, and impact in the field of community dentistry. Thank you for your work and congratulations, Dr. Bernardo!
Overview & Award Requirements
Since 2010, the AAPD Foundation has issued over $10 million in grants and commitments supporting community-based organizations nationwide in their efforts to provide dental care for underserved children. Our grantees are led by committed, passionate, and creative individuals who often toil in anonymity, putting the needs of the children they serve ahead of everything else. The AAPD Foundation, along with Elevate Oral Care, established their award recognizing a deserving individual for excellence in providing dental care for children from families that cannot afford it. The Access to Care Innovator Award seeks to shine a light on a selected individual whose efforts are making a difference for children in his/her community.
Who is eligible?
- Individuals currently affiliated with a current or previous AAPD Foundation Access to Care Grant recipient (staff member or volunteer), previous Access to Care Grant applicant, or other representative from a 501(C)(3) nonprofit clinic or dental school are eligible for consideration
- Anyone affiliated with a nonprofit organization (supervisor, colleague, Board member, grateful parent) may submit a nomination
- Nominees may be in direct care or supporting roles
- Individuals may self-nominate, however, third-party nominations are preferred
- Nominations are now closed.
- If you have any questions, please contact the AAPD Foundation’s Grants and Programs Assistant Manager Jasmine Williams at jwilliams@aapdfoundation.org or 773-938-4989, between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm CST
Meet Dr. Beverly A. Largent
During a Foundation Board of Trustees meeting in February 2008, Board members were asked to name their greatest wish for the Foundation. Dr. Largent made the statement that she wished to “wipe out cavities in kids.” Her declaration not only changed the nature of the conversation that day, it put the Foundation on a course that allowed it to issue over $10 million in grants that helped more than 800,000 children.
As AAPD President-Elect and into her term as AAPD President, Dr. Largent chaired the Foundation’s business plan task force that outlined a strategy that included issuing grants to support clinics providing care to underserved children. This group evolved into today’s Grants and Programs Committee.
In recognition of Dr. Beverly Largent’s own innovation and as a means for thanking her for her many contributions to the Foundation’s Access to Care work, Elevate Oral Care is proud to support the Dr. Beverly A. Largent Access to Care Innovator Award.