Some users may experience temporary issues accessing parts of the site. Thanks for your patience.
- Office Hours Mon - Fri 9:00 am – 4:00 pm EST
TAMPA, Fla. — July 21, 2026 — The Dawson Academy, a leading provider of continuing dental education, is proud to announce Dr. Pallak Razdan as the recipient of the 2026 Peter E. Dawson Legacy Scholarship.
Dr. Razdan was selected from the scholarship’s largest applicant pool to date, with applications submitted by fourth-year dental students from schools spanning both coasts of the United States. The exceptional quality of this year’s submissions made the selection process especially challenging for The Dawson Academy’s Scholarship Committee.
Committee members were inspired by the applicants’ accomplishments, personal journeys, commitment to patient care, and desire to continue growing as comprehensive clinicians. After careful deliberation, Dr. Razdan was selected for her perseverance, thoughtful approach to dentistry, and strong alignment with the principles of Complete Dentistry championed by Dr. Peter Dawson.
As the 2026 scholarship recipient, Dr. Razdan will receive complimentary enrollment in The Dawson Academy’s complete Mini-Residency, an educational journey through the Academy’s Core Curriculum valued at more than $30,000. The curriculum is designed to develop a dentist’s understanding of diagnosis, occlusion, esthetics, treatment planning, and comprehensive patient care.
“Winning the Peter E. Dawson Legacy Scholarship means a lot to me,” Dr. Razdan said. “Receiving a scholarship that carries Dr. Dawson’s name feels like a full-circle moment, and it reminds me that staying curious, working hard, and trusting the process really does pay off.”
Dr. Razdan’s path into dentistry has taken her across two countries and through nearly every role within a dental practice. She initially trained as a dentist in India before moving to North America and rebuilding her career from the ground up. She worked as a dental assistant, front desk coordinator, and treatment coordinator before ultimately earning her DDS from the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry.
Rather than viewing her unconventional path as a setback, Dr. Razdan credits those experiences with helping her understand patient care from perspectives extending far beyond that of the treating dentist.
“Looking back, I wouldn’t change any part of that journey because every role taught me something about patient care that I couldn’t have learned any other way,” she said.
Her interest in The Dawson Academy began during dental school after observing a faculty member who had completed the Dawson Core Curriculum evaluate a patient experiencing dental sensitivity. Rather than focusing only on an individual tooth, the faculty member connected the patient’s occlusion to the chief complaint and considered how the teeth, muscles, and joints were functioning together.
“He wasn’t just looking at one tooth. He was looking at the entire system and understanding the why behind it,” Dr. Razdan recalled. “I remember thinking, that’s the kind of clinician I want to become.”
That experience helped shape what she is most looking forward to as she begins the Core Curriculum: developing the ability to diagnose beyond what is immediately visible and understanding the underlying causes of a patient’s condition.
“I want to truly understand how the teeth, muscles, and joints work together so I can provide care that is not only beautiful, but functional and built to last,” she said.
Dr. Razdan has developed a particular interest in prosthodontics because of the way it combines function, esthetics, and comprehensive treatment planning. She believes the Dawson philosophy will give her a framework for approaching complex cases intentionally rather than treating individual teeth in isolation.
As a recent graduate, however, her immediate priority is not to rush into advanced treatment. Instead, she plans to establish a strong foundation in diagnosis, restorative care, occlusion, and treatment planning.
“I hope the Core Curriculum helps me develop the diagnostic mindset and clinical judgment that will guide every stage of my career,” Dr. Razdan said. “My goal is to become the kind of clinician who earns a patient’s trust because they know every recommendation I make is thoughtful, predictable, and centered on what’s best for them.”
Dr. Razdan also emphasized that her journey would not have been possible without the support of her family, instructors, and mentors.
“It really took a village to help me get here,” she said. “I’m incredibly grateful to The Dawson Academy Scholarship Committee for believing in my story and investing in my future.”
She also expressed her gratitude to her mentors at UCSF, including Dr. Stock, Dr. Benjamin, Dr. Tsuji, Dr. Thaw, and Dr. Lim, as well as the faculty members at Manipal College of Dental Sciences in India who helped establish her clinical and theoretical foundation. She additionally recognized Dr. Daltria Li for providing valuable mentorship and perspective.
“Most importantly, I’d like to thank my family, especially my husband, for believing in me through every setback and celebrating every milestone right alongside me,” Dr. Razdan said.
The Peter E. Dawson Legacy Scholarship was created to help promising dental students begin their careers with access to advanced education, mentorship, and a professional community committed to practicing dentistry at the highest level. Applicants are evaluated on their commitment to comprehensive patient care, professional vision, personal journey, and alignment with Dr. Dawson’s philosophy of predictable, patient-centered dentistry.
The Dawson Academy congratulates Dr. Razdan and looks forward to supporting her as she progresses through the Mini-Residency and begins the next chapter of her dental career.
Fourth-year dental students interested in following Dr. Razdan’s path are encouraged to apply for the 2027 Peter E. Dawson Legacy Scholarship.
Prospective applicants can learn more about eligibility, future application dates, and scholarship opportunities by visiting thedawsonacademy.com/scholarships.
The Dawson Academy provides continuing dental education built around the principles of Complete Dentistry. Through its Core Curriculum, Mini-Residency, hands-on courses, study clubs, and advanced educational programs, the Academy helps dental professionals develop the diagnostic, clinical, and treatment-planning skills needed to provide predictable, comprehensive patient care.
Media Contact
The Dawson Academy
201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1460
Tampa, FL 33602
727-823-7047
[email protected]
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.
