Euclid pediatric dentist receives Ohio Dental Association Achievement Award
Dr. Kari Cunningham is the 2025 recipient of the Ohio Dental Association Achievement Award.
Dr. Kari Cunningham has been involved in organized dentistry throughout her career and is dedicated to mentoring younger dentists and improving access to care. In recognition of her efforts, she received the Ohio Dental Association Achievement Award on Friday, Sept. 26 at the Callahan Celebration of Excellence, held in conjunction with the 159th ODA Annual Session.
Cunningham earned her DMD from Case Western Reserve University in 2010 and her Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Case Western in 2012. She was selected to receive the National Health Service Corps scholarship for all four years of dental school because of her passion for serving at-risk populations.
After graduating, she practiced in private and corporate settings and started three pediatric dental clinics at community health center locations and served as dental director at Lorain County Health & Dentistry – Community Health Center. In 2018, she opened her own practice in Euclid, Panther Pediatric Dentistry.
Cunningham has been involved with organized dentistry since she was a dental student and has served on several councils and committees with the Greater Cleveland Dental Society and the Ohio Dental Association. She is a past president of the Greater Cleveland Dental Society and current Chair of the ODA Council on Access to Care and Public Service.
She recently created TEAM DDS, which stands for Together Everyone Achieves More Diversity in Dentistry Subcommittee, with the Greater Cleveland Dental Society. TEAM DDS will work to help those who have been marginalized or excluded on the basis of race, culture, sexual orientation, or practice demographic to have equal representation and the opportunity for advancement that traditional and stereotypical practitioners have had. She also serves on the ODA Subcouncil for Diversity and Inclusion.
Cunningham is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, fellow of the International College of Dentists, a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and will be inducted as a fellow of the American College of Dentists this autumn.
Cunningham has provided dental care to nearly 2,000 children in Kenya in East Africa, she holds Give Kids A Smile events in her office and she serves on the Ohio Dentist Loan Repayment Advisory Board. She is an adjunct faculty member at CWRU School of Dental Medicine and is a speaker and certified life coach with a focus on health careers and office culture.
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.
-30-
Contact: David Owsiany, ODA Executive Director
Phone: 614-486-2700
Email: david@oda.org
Photos available upon request
