Urvi Mehta, BDS, a second-year resident in the UAB Department of Pediatric Dentistry, has been selected as a 2026–27 Samuel D. Harris Research & Policy Fellow by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
This national fellowship recognizes emerging leaders in pediatric dentistry and supports advanced training and professional development. Mehta’s selection reflects her academic achievements and ongoing research focused on pediatric dental care delivery during her residency training.
Her work, conducted under the mentorship of Stephen Mitchell, DMD, and Cecilia Cheon, DMD, MS, examines patterns in pediatric dental treatment under general anesthesia across Alabama, including wait times, provider participation, and care settings.
“Recognition like this reflects the strength of our training programs and the caliber of residents we attract,” said Mitchell. “Urvi has taken full advantage of the mentored research environment here, and this fellowship highlights the kind of academic engagement we aim to foster across our programs.”
Mehta’s recognition underscores the continued emphasis on scholarly activity and academic engagement within UAB Dentistry’s residency programs.