Bentley wins McGovern Outstanding Teaching Award
Bentley’s approach to teaching is rooted in real-world experience, shaped by 25 years in private practice prior to entering academia. Photo by Dylan Allen.
Associate Professor Dan A. Bentley, DDS, has been named the 2026 recipient of the John P. McGovern Outstanding Teaching Award at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, a recognition selected by third- and fourth-year dental students that, this year, carries added meaning.
Bentley’s award was announced during the School of Dentistry’s annual DDS Senior Awards.
A four-time recipient of the award (2024, 2018, 2011), Bentley’s latest honor arrives at the close of his time in academic dentistry, offering a moment of reflection on a career defined by connection, mentorship, and patient-centered care.
Bentley’s approach to teaching is rooted in real-world experience, shaped by 25 years in private practice prior to entering academia. He emphasizes that clinical education extends far beyond technical skill, requiring adaptability, communication, and resilience.
“What we do is very hard,” he said. “It requires great communication skills and great technical skills.”
For Bentley, beginning clinical treatments mark a pivotal transition in students’ careers that require them to grow into human-centered professionals while merely leaning on their didactic foundation from time to time.
That growth, he emphasized, must always be grounded in having patient care as the “everlasting top priority” as opposed to their independent endeavors.
“There is no balance. The scale is always tipped toward what is best for the patient,” Bentley said. “Confidence is found in only treatment planning the procedures you know you can confidently perform for that patient, with the support of specialists who fill in the gaps.”
Bentley said the most rewarding part of teaching has been watching students develop that confidence and become comfortable in a professional setting where the stakes are real.
That philosophy came into focus during one of his final clinical cases, when a student nearing their graduation requirement worked under pressure to complete a denture and partial denture case for a patient.
“There was a great deal of pressure. The case had to work,” Bentley said. “During each phase of the treatment, the student gained a little more confidence and the patient became more comfortable. When it was finished, there was joy and there were tears for the student and the patient.”
The outcome, he said, reflected the dual impact of clinical education.
“The patient got their smile back. The student got her requirements. I got to experience the joy with both of them,” he said. “I am glad I was able to have that one more time.”
Originally planning to step away quietly, Bentley said the recognition from students reshaped how he views the close of this part of his dental career.
“I thought I would just finish the year out and walk out the back door quietly,” he said. “Instead, the students decided to honor me beyond what I could ever deserve.”
The McGovern Award comes with a cash prize. Previous award winners include:
- Vinu Sista, DDS, 2025
- Dan Bentley, DDS, 2024, 2018, 2011
- Stephen Laman, DDS, 2023
- Bonita A. Wynkoop, RDH, DDS, 2022
- Long D. Tran, PharmD, DDS, 2021
- Dianna M. Arriaga, DDS, MEd, 2020
- Cleverick (C.D.) Johnson, MS, DDS, 2019, 1993
- Rodney Beetar, DDS, MS, 2017, 2012, 2010, 1996, 1989
- Amity Gardner, DDS, 2016
- Ralph Cooley, DDS, 2015
- Trevor Treasure, DDS, MD, MBA, 2014
- Debra Stewart, DDS, 2013
- Shiwei Cai, DDS, PhD, 2009
- Robert (Rod) Dosch, DDS, 2008
- Donald Belles, DDS, MS, 2007
- Richard Bebermeyer, DDS, MBA, 2006, 1990
- Gary Frey, DDS, 2005
- Donna Warren Morris, RDH, MEd, 2004, 2002
- Gene Stevenson, DDS, MS, 2003
- Jayne McWherter, RDH, MEd, 2001
- Maribeth Stitt, RHD, MEd, 2000
- Jeffrey Chang, DDS, 1999
- Sam Adkisson, DDS, 1998, 1994, 1992, 1985
- Leslie Roeder, DDS, 1997
- Edmund Strickler, DDS, 1995
- Cornelius Sullivan, Jr., DDS, 1991
- Kenneth Porter, DDS, 1988, 1986
- Willis Smith, DDS, 1987
- Clyde Coe, DDS, 1984