PDA 10 UNDER 10 AWARD WINNERS
Dr . Rajvir Jutla
Dr . Rajvir Jutla is a 2014 graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine . In his 10 years in practice , Dr . Jutla has had a range of experience from private practice , to dental school faculty , to most recently becoming dental director for an FQHC . In addition to serving the community , Dr . Jutla has also been committed to organized dentistry . He has served on the PDA Membership Committee , graduated from PDA ’ s Leadership Academy , and served on the Philadelphia County Dental Society ( PCDS ) Board of Governors . Dr . Jutla has also chaired the PCDS summer picnic , a fun membership event to assist with member engagement at the local level .
“ Thank you to the Pennsylvania Dental Association for this recognition and award . Joining the PDA has provided opportunities for my voice to be heard and to influence decision making for our profession . We each have our own unique experiences and perspectives in dentistry , and I encourage anyone with ideas and passion to collaborate and share these with your state and local components .”
Dr . Alison King
Dr . Alison King earned her DMD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 2014 . She won the Gilbert N . Robin Continuing Education Award in recognition of dedication to continued professional excellence . She is actively engaged on the local level , with the Dental Society of Western PA , as well as PDA and ADA . She has been involved as a committee member planning the 3Rivers Dental Conference . Dr . King is a graduate of PDA ’ s Leadership Academy and represented PDA as an Alternate Delegate at the 2023 ADA House of Delegates in Orlando , Fla .
“ I am very honored to be a part of this distinguished group . While nobody gets into dentistry for the awards , it ’ s humbling to be recognized and feel supported especially from my mentors and colleagues in the tenth district . These individuals have educated me on the importance of organized dentistry and have inspired me to increase my involvement .”
Dr . Aaron Merski
Dr . Aaron Merski earned his bachelor of science in neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh , then graduated from the LECOM School of Dental Medicine in 2018 and got involved in the Erie County Dental Association right away , becoming president of the ECDA in 2020 . Dr . Merski ’ s term came at a challenging time , as he guided ECDA through the COVID-19 pandemic . Dr . Merski was instrumental in getting local hospitals to prioritize dentists and their staff to get the COVID vaccine when it was released to us in early 2021 . He agreed to serve a second consecutive term as ECDA president in 2021-22 , making some history , as this was the first time that occurred .
“ I was truly honored and humbled to receive the 10 under 10 award , especially without knowing I was nominated ! Organized dentistry was not the first thing on my mind when graduating from school , but I am extremely grateful to have gotten involved right out the gate . Actively participating in my local organization allowed me to quickly meet my colleagues , make important connections and learn how the profession works outside of the academic world .
“ Joining these organizations , listening to peers and helping one another have already proven themselves to be invaluable tools to navigating a long , healthy career in this profession . I look forward to continue learning from those before me , and will be there to pass the torch to those who follow .”
Dr . Selena Nguyen
Dr . Selena Nguyen , a 2020 graduate of the Kornberg School of Dentistry at the Temple University , has been in private practice for three years . She has been actively involved with the Dental Society of Chester County and Delaware County , serving as the Corresponding Secretary , and has been a member of the PDA New Dentist Committee . On the national level , Dr . Nguyen served as an ADA alternate delegate to the 2022 ADA House of Delegates . While attending SmileCon , she provided valuable content for PDA , posting daily updates to our PDA Instagram account .
30 JULY / AUGUST 2024 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL