The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) has announced David C. Johnsen, dean of the College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, as the recipient of the 2010 AADR Jack Hein Public Service Award. This award will be presented to Johnsen at the 39th AADR Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Washington, DC, March 3, 2010.

Dean Johnsen is a tireless advocate for the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research funding and is a champion of oral health research training. He travels regularly to Washington, DC as an advocate for oral health, and has built a collaborative relationship with his home state's two senators: Senator Charles Grassley and Senator Tom Harkin. Importantly, Dean Johnsen is also an advocate at home, regularly attending two hall meetings when his senators are back in Iowa.

"Dr. Johnsen has been outstanding in his advocacy. He served as our advocacy advisor at Council last year and has been a significant contributor to the AADR Government Affairs Committee," said AADR President Grayson "Bill" Marshall. "This only scratches the surface of his contributions, as he is a model advocate for oral health."

This award honors individuals who have given exemplary service in the area of public affairs by consistently promoting the interests and activities of oral health research to a wide constituency.