Alumnus Vogel honored with ADA 10 Under 10 Award

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry alumnus Jonathan Vogel, DDS ’18, holds his award at the American Dental Association’s 2026 10 Under 10 Awards ceremony, recognizing his leadership, advocacy, and service to the dental profession.

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry alumnus Jonathan Vogel, DDS ’18, has been named one of the American Dental Association’s 2026 10 Under 10 Award recipients, recognizing new dentists who demonstrate excellence and inspire others through leadership, advocacy, practice excellence, philanthropy, science, research, and education.

For Vogel, the recognition brings him back to his time as a dental student, when he first discovered the impact dentists can have beyond the operatory.

As a first-year dental student, Vogel attended his first Texas Dental Association Legislative Day in February 2015 in Austin. While meeting with a state senator, he saw firsthand the importance of educating policymakers about dentistry and the patients dentists serve.

The experience sparked an interest in advocacy that has continued throughout his career.

“That moment I understood the gravity of advocacy and education,” Vogel said. “It is our responsibility to educate legislators so they can make fully informed decisions.”

His approach to advocacy is rooted in lessons he learned at the School of Dentistry. Vogel said his dental education provided a strong foundation in general dentistry while teaching him to critically evaluate evidence, a skill he continues to apply in his work.

“Dr. Art Jeske pushed us to think critically and scrutinize the literature so we could provide evidence-based care,” Vogel said. “Dr. Ryan Quock taught me conservative, evidence-based dentistry, and Dr. Ashley Clark’s pathology course covered a subject with some of the most direct impacts on patient care.”

That habit of questioning the evidence, Vogel said, has carried into how he evaluates policy proposals and helps legislators make informed decisions about dentistry and patient care.

Since graduating, Vogel has built a career that combines private practice with service to his profession and community. As a practice owner in Dallas, he builds long-term relationships with patients and supports the community that supports his practice. His involvement in organized dentistry has allowed him to contribute to the profession on a broader scale.

“The most rewarding part has been the chance to serve at several levels,” Vogel said.

For Vogel, the ADA 10 Under 10 recognition is also an opportunity to encourage current dental students and new dentists to get involved early in their careers.

“If someone else has done it, you can do it too,” he said. “Often the only thing limiting you is yourself.”

Vogel said his own experience has reinforced the value of finding mentors, taking on new challenges, and not waiting until you feel ready.

“So, my advice is to get involved early, find mentors, and don’t wait until you feel ready,” Vogel said.

Vogel shares the recognition with the faculty, classmates, and mentors who supported him throughout his career.

“Years later, my goal is the same: to advance policy that protects patients and supports dentists,” he said. “I hope this inspires current students to get involved early, because organized dentistry is stronger when every generation shows up.”