Q1: What do you love most about being a periodontist?
A: “I enjoy having specialized knowledge and skills that allow me to help patients in ways most others cannot. Beyond clinical care, being a periodontist also positions my office and partners as leaders in our community — a role we take to heart.”
Q2: What first drew you to participate in PerioDash?
A: “I was excited by the opportunity to support a worthy cause through a health-oriented, community-centered event. It’s a purposeful way to bring the dental community together while promoting wellness and our specialty of Periodontics.”
Q3: How did your team respond to the idea of participating?
A: “My team is always enthusiastic about health-related competitions. They respond positively to any event that combines wellness, fun, and purpose — and PerioDash was no exception.”
Q4: What did the planning process look like, and did you incorporate any creative elements?
A: “The planning process grew organically and evolved each year. Dr. Jake Zellner took the lead on route planning and social media. Dr. Aixa Guzmán did a great job, especially in outreach to fellow female professionals. I focused on logistics — securing food, signage, a race clock, shirts, flyers, and coordinating race-day assignments. I also handled communication with the AAP Foundation. It was truly a collaborative effort.
Creativity was key. We chose not to charge participants and instead made a donation to the AAP Foundation that exceeded our participant count. We created and distributed custom event shirts with our logo as well as the Foundation’s, awarded prizes to the top three finishers, and saw great engagement on social media from participants.”
Q5: How did participating in PerioDash affect your team dynamic or morale?
A: “It was a tremendous morale booster. The team was all-in — not just during the race, but also with setup and breakdown. Many brought their families, including babies and pets. Seeing everyone come together outside the office for a shared mission was truly heartwarming.”
Q6: Did it open opportunities to connect with patients, referring dentists, or your community?
A: “Absolutely. Assistants from other practices made PerioDash their annual event and encouraged their doctors to join the following year. Several referring doctors and their staff toured our office, allowing for meaningful in-person connections. We even reconnected with former team members, who shared how much they missed being part of our community-focused environment.”
Q7: How do you see PerioDash helping educate the public about periodontal health?
A: “We use our digital office sign and event activities to share community-focused health messages tied to PerioDash. During medal presentations, we explain the purpose of the event, highlight the work of the AAP Foundation, and connect physical wellness with periodontal health. It’s a great platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and public education.”
Q8: What would you say to other periodontists considering PerioDash for their practice?
A: “Do it! It’s a powerful tool to build team spirit, strengthen your referral network, and showcase your role as a health advocate. With thoughtful effort, it can be an energizing and unifying experience for everyone involved.”
"Apart from helping me financially, this award has strengthened my commitment to dental education. I will be in academics for life," says Satheesh Elangovan, BDS, ScD, DMSc, a 2011 Abram and Sylvia Chasens Teaching and Research Fellow. Dr. Elangovan is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He is also the AAP Foundation's 2008 Tarrson Regeneration Scholar.
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