The Texas-based oral and maxillofacial surgeon is recognized for his decades of service providing free surgical care to children through the Smile International Foundation.
The American Dental Association (ADA) has named Jeffrey J Moses, DDS, FAACS, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon from New Braunfels, Texas, the recipient of the 2026 ADA Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes his charitable work through the Smile International Foundation, an organization he founded to provide free surgical care to children with cleft and craniofacial anomalies.
Moses will be honored this fall at the ADA 2026 Scientific Session in Indianapolis, Ind, and will receive $10,000 for his chosen charity. The annual Humanitarian Award honors an ADA member for creating a legacy of volunteer work.
Decades of Service and Mentorship
Since the 1980s, Moses has provided free surgical care to children in the US and internationally. As president of the Smile International Foundation, he leads six to eight surgical missions each year, with clinics in Mexico and Costa Rica.
A key part of his work involves training and mentorship. Surgical residents and fellows who participate in missions gain surgical experience and learn how to organize charitable programs. Moses also trains local oral healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care. Clinics established in Ukraine and India have become self-sufficient and have expanded their services to include speech therapy, ear exams, and psychological consultations.
“As an oral & maxillofacial surgeon myself, I understand deeply the profound difference Dr Moses makes in the lives of the children he serves,” says Richard Rosato, DMD, president of the ADA, in a release. “His charitable work transforms communities and empowers oral health care providers, instilling a legacy of care that will result in thousands more children leading healthier, happier lives.”
Commitment to Care
Moses retired from his clinical practice in 2003 to focus on his philanthropic efforts. He previously served in the US Naval Dental Corp, achieving the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and the National Board of Dental Anesthesiology.
“While I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the ADA Humanitarian Award, the true credit belongs to our incredible volunteers. For our team, every opportunity to provide life-long healing for a child with a facial cleft is a profound privilege,” says Moses, in a release. “We lead by giving. In serving others, you create space for the universe to pour abundance into your life.”
Photo: ADA
