Award Winners 2023

FDA President Award: Dr. GerALD Bird

Dr. Gerald Bird is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Cocoa. Dr. Bird received his Bachelor of Science in biology from Western Michigan University and then his DDS from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in 1980. He completed a residency in general practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the VA Medical Center in Detroit. Dr. Bird has served in leadership within the Central Florida District Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association (FDA), and the American Dental Association (ADA) for many years and has held multiple roles. His passion has always been legislative advocacy for the FDA and ADA. Dr. Bird spent years on the ADA’s Political Action Committee (PAC), serving as chair from 2017-18, and on the FDA’s PAC board from 1996-2008, where he served many years as chair. He continues to serve his profession and advocate for all dentists as a legislative contact dentist in Florida while leading the FDA as President. He is an avid athlete and enjoys swimming, biking and running. Dr. Bird is married to his wife, Jerilyn Bird, and together they have two children, Kevin and Stephanie, a daughter-in-law, Taylor, and their grandson, Carter, who is three years old.

Dentist of the Year: Dr. Cesar R. Sabates

Dr. Cesar Sabates is a general dentist from Coral Gables, Florida. Dr. Sabates earned his dental degree and certificate in advanced education in general dentistry from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry and has an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Miami. Dr. Sabates is the founding president of the Dental Lifeline Network-Florida. Among the many awards received for his dedicated service, Dr. Sabates was the 2021 recipient of the FDA’s J. Leon Schwartz Lifetime Achievement Award, the FDA’s Presidents Choice Award – 2018, the South Florida District Dental Association (SFDDA) Service and Leadership Award – 2018, the Hispanic Dental Association Award for his continued commitment to oral health – 2012 and Dentist of the Day – Florida House of Representatives, April 2, 1997. From 2016 to 2020, Dr. Sabates served as the 17th District Trustee to the ADA Board of Trustees. He is also a past president of the FDA and the SFDDA. Most recently, Dr. Sabates served as the president of the ADA from 20212022 as the first person from Florida to hold this role. Dr. Sabates and his wife Lydia reside in Orlando and have two children, Albert and Cesar III, and a grandson, Bruce.