CHICAGO, October 17, 2024 — Bill Sasser, D.M.D., of, Charleston N.C., is the recipient of the 2024 American Dental Association (ADA) Humanitarian Award for his dedication to dentistry and the lasting impact he has made on the oral health care and overall wellbeing for those both stateside and abroad.
The Humanitarian Award honors an ADA member each year who has distinguished themselves by outstanding, unselfish leadership predominantly in the field of dentistry, through the expenditure of extraordinary time and professional skills to improve the oral health of underserved populations. Dr. Sasser will be honored at ADA SmileCon™ in New Orleans, La. Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 18 during the Changemakers Celebration and will receive $10,000 designated to the charity of his choice.
Dr. Sasser is the executive director of the Dental Community Fellowship, an organization made up of dental students, dentists and volunteers who partake in dental mission trips to a number of international destinations each year. Dr. Sasser has led or participated in nearly 140 mission trips in 34 countries over two decades. He is also the founder of South Carolina’s North Charleston Dental Outreach clinic, which provides dental treatment for individuals whose options for care are restricted due to financial issues and the absence of insurance.
“Humanitarian activities are a foundation of the dental profession,” said Linda J. Edgar, President of the ADA for the 2023-2024 term. “Acknowledging ADA members like Dr. Sasser not only recognizes his individual contributions but encourages others to pursue similar activities and reflects positively on the profession.”
After graduating from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1973, and a residency in periodontics at the University of Alabama in 1976, Dr. Sasser began a private practice. After many years in practice, while serving periodically on short-term mission trips, he left practice to enter a second career focused primarily on full-time international and stateside service. He returned to part-time private practice briefly in 2010 while continuing his participation in multiple short-term international projects each year and leading the effort to build a new North Charleston Dental Outreach clinic, serving as its dental director.
Dr. Sasser was nominated by dentists and colleagues for the Humanitarian Award. His nomination letters praised him for his steady and unrelenting drive to serve his community through the use of his significant leadership abilities and dental skills. He was commended for his humanitarian volunteer accomplishments, selflessness and compassion for the underserved and disadvantaged.
“I’m honored to have been selected for this award, but [I’m not] a saint,” stated Dr. Sasser. “I’m a flawed individual who doesn’t mind working hard, and who feels that contributing to the good of others is somewhat selfishly allowing me to be productive into my old age. My life has been much more fulfilling practicing dentistry for free than when I was getting paid.”
First established in 2008, the ADA Humanitarian Award annually honors an ADA member for creating a legacy of volunteer work and is one of the ADA’s highest honors. Criteria for the Humanitarian Award include significantly improving the quality of life and oral health of individuals, demonstrating significant leadership and serving as an inspiration to others both in the dental profession and the general population.
For more information about the ADA Humanitarian Award, please visit https://www.ada.org/about/volunteer-and-get-involved-with-the-ada/humanitarian-award.
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