North Texas Dentistry Volume 9 Issue 3 2019 ISSUE 3 DE | Page 26

NEWS
& notes
Dr. Moody Alexander Wins
American Association
of Orthodontists 2019
Humanitarian Award
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has named
Dr. Moody Alexander of Drs. Alexander Orthodontics as the
recipient of the 2019 Humanitarian Award for his commitment
to giving back and serving others through his volunteer efforts
locally and globally. Besides creating numerous opportunities
to serve his hometown of Arlington, Texas; Dr. Alexander
founded EthiopiaSmile along with his wife, Emily, to bring
dental prevention and basic oral hygiene to underserved
Ethiopians. He has worked tirelessly to provide healthier living
conditions along with medical and dental care for villagers in
Dube Bute, Ethiopia.
The AAO Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who
has made significant contributions to change the quality of
human life that extends beyond the usual scope of private ortho-
dontic practice, academic functions or organized dentistry.
Representing thousands of orthodontists in Texas and the
Southwest, the Southwest Society of Orthodontist nominated
Dr. Moody Alexander for this recognition. He accepted this
prestigious award on May 5 at the 2019 AAO Annual Session in
Los Angeles.
“I am so proud of EthiopiaSmile and all the work we have done
in the past 11 years. This award is an incredible honor. I hope
too that this recognition calls attention to the needs of others
so we can engage even more friends, family and patients to join
efforts and change lives for the better,” Alexander said.
EthiopiaSmile began in 2008 after Alexander noticed the exten-
sive dental-related illnesses and mortality spreading across the
entire country. Since its creation, EthiopiaSmile has taken six
mission trips to Addis Ababa where they helped thousands of
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