Columbus dentist receives Ohio Dental Association Achievement Award
Dr. Jacinto Beard is the 2026 recipient of the Ohio Dental Association Achievement Award.
Dr. Jacinto Beard has been dedicated to providing care and advocating for patients served by Medicaid throughout much of his career. In recognition of his efforts, he received the Ohio Dental Association Achievement Award on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Callahan Celebration of Excellence, held in conjunction with the 160th ODA Annual Session.
Beard earned his DDS from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1990. He owns three dental practices in Columbus, including one primarily serving the Medicaid clientele.
Serving and advocating for Medicaid patients has been a priority of Beard’s career. He served as an advisor to the Ohio Department of Medicaid and then served in many positions with Molina Health Care, including as Ohio dental director and national dental director. He has served with Molina for over 10 years and was recently promoted to chief dental officer.
Beard has also been involved in other access to care initiatives throughout his career, including Remote Area Medical (RAM) events, Physicians Care Connection with the Columbus Department of Health, and going on Missions trips to provide care in Mexico.
Beard has served on many councils and committees with the Columbus Dental Society, including as president, secretary, as Central Office Committee chair and others. With the ODA, he has served as a subdistrict representative, a delegate to the ODA House of Delegates, on the Dental Education and Licensure Committee, as chair of the Subcomittee on Judicial Affairs and others. He has also served as a delegate to the ADA House of Delegates.
He is also involved with several other boards and associations and has sat on the National Dental Association Board of Directors, National Dental Association Foundation Board, The Ohio State University Foundation Board, and is a past president of The Ohio State University Dental Alumni Society. He also served on the Ohio State Dental Board. Beard is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.
The Achievement Award is given to someone with a personal and professional commitment to the dental profession and the public’s oral health, and who is an ambassador for the dental profession with solid respect for the profession.
