Dr. Beverly A. Largent Access to Care Innovator Award
Recognizing Excellence
The Access to Care Innovator Award recognizes an individual who utilizes their passion and creativity to increase access to dental care for underserved children, even with limited resources. The award is named for an innovator of our own, the individual who took the first step in leading the AAPD Foundation into access to care: Dr. Beverly A. Largent.
Now accepting nominations for the 2026 Access to Care Innovator!
Rewarding passion, commitment, and creativity
The Access to Care Innovator Award shines a light on someone making a big difference for little teeth
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 2026 in Las Vegas
Airfare and accommodations for the recipient and a guest to attend AAPD 2026 in Las Vegas, including two tickets to the AAPD Foundation donor appreciation reception, where the award will be given.
Overview & Award Requirements
Since 2010, the AAPD Foundation has issued $11.3 million in grants and commitments supporting community-based organizations nationwide in their efforts to provide comprehensive dental care for children. Our grantees are led by committed, creative individuals who face vulnerable populations and limited resources. These Healthy-Smile-Heroes-in-action are constantly problem-solving, innovating, and advocating for children’s health.
The Access to Care Innovator Award shines a light on an individual whose efforts are making a positive difference for children in their community. Submit a nomination here. Nominations close at 4 pm CST on February 9, 2026.
Nominators will be updated on application status by March 9, 2026. All email communication will come solely through the online application interface.
Who is eligible?
- Individuals from 501(c)(3) nonprofit clinics or dental schools. (This includes but is not limited to dental hygienists, community healthcare workers, patient coordinators, dental assistants, general dentists, and pediatric dentists. Nominees may be in direct care or supporting roles.)
- Individuals affiliated with an Access to Care Grant recipient or applicant.
- Staff members and volunteer team members are eligible.
- Questions? Please contact Grants and Programs Assistant Manager, Jasmine Williams at jwilliams@aapdfoundation.org
Who can submit a nomination?
- Anyone affiliated with a nonprofit organization may submit a nomination, including but not limited to supervisors, colleagues, Board members, or grateful parents of patients.
- Individuals may self-nominate. Third-party nominations are preferred.
- Submit a nomination here. Nominations received by any other means (e-mail, USPS, etc.) will not be considered.
Requested nomination information
- Nominee’s name, title, and role for the organization
- Description of the organization and/or its mission
- Number of children served annually by the organization and a general overview of the dental services provided
- A brief narrative describing the nature of the challenge/problem facing the nominee
- A brief narrative describing what the nominee did to address the challenge/problem described above
- A personal statement about the nominee
- Nominee’s bio (no more than two pages, submitted as .pdf)
- Two one-page letters of recommendation (submitted as .pdf)
Meet our 2025 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!
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 $11 million in grants that helped more than 850,000 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.
