Dentsply Sirona and the Foundation for Endodontics Announce 2025 Freedom Scholarship Winners

The Freedom Scholarship, a collaboration between Dentsply Sirona and the Foundation for Endodontics, provides substantial financial assistance to endodontic residents to address the significant student loan debt faced by dental specialists. This year’s Freedom Scholarship winners were announced during the 2025 AAE “Advanced Programs in Clinical Endodontics Symposium” (APICES) meeting in New Orleans on August 15.

Charlotte, N.C., September 4, 2025. Dentsply Sirona and the Foundation for Endodontics proudly announce the 2025 recipients of the Transformative Freedom Scholarship. Now in its second year, this initiative continues to ease the burden of student loan debt for endodontic residents by awarding three $50,000 scholarships annually.

The 2025 recipients are:
•    Dr. Anne Corso, Indiana University
•    Dr. Madison Covington, Medical University of South Carolina
•    Dr. Alexandra Herzog, University of Michigan

This year’s recipients, announced during the 2025 AAE APICES meeting in New Orleans on August 15, each received a $50,000 award to help reduce their financial burden in advanced endodontics education. New this year, the Foundation expanded eligibility to residents at any stage of their CODA-accredited endodontic training program. This ensures that more future specialists can benefit from financial support at a time that aligns best with their personal and educational needs.

“On behalf of Dentsply Sirona, I’d like to congratulate Anne, Madison and Alexandra on their well-earned scholarships,” says Bruce Peatey, Group Vice President of Americas Regional Commercial Organization, Dentsply Sirona. “Clinical education is a pillar of Dentsply Sirona’s mission and vision to transform dentistry and help dental professionals move forward with confidence. In this case, it means helping future dental professionals excel at their education so they can begin their careers with confidence and provide the very best patient care.”

According to the American Dental Association, the average student loan debt for dentists is around $300,000. Dental specialists often face even higher amounts. This debt can influence every aspect of a new dentist’s life, making the Foundation for Endodontics and Dentsply Sirona Freedom Scholarship a vital resource to ease this financial burden for deserving individuals.

“We are incredibly proud to support these outstanding residents at such a pivotal time in their careers,” said President of the Foundation for Endodontics, Dr. Patricia Tordik. “Partnering with Dentsply Sirona to offer the Freedom Scholarship reflects our shared commitment to the future of endodontics. By reducing the financial barriers to advanced education, we’re not only supporting the academic journey of today’s residents—we’re strengthening the specialty for years to come.”

Key Features of the Foundation for Endodontics and Dentsply Sirona Freedom Scholarship:

• Five-Year Commitment: Beginning in 2024, Dentsply Sirona pledged to contribute annually through 2028 to the Foundation for Endodontics, which will manage the scholarship recipient process and fund distribution.
• Annual Awards: Each year, three meritorious endodontic residents will receive a one-time $50,000 scholarship to cover tuition, courses, equipment, books and other training-related expenses.
• Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must be post-graduate residents of CODA-accredited endodontic programs in the United States or Canada. They must also be citizens or permanent residents of these countries, as well as comply with all other requirements.
• Application Process: The application process includes an online form, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and documentation of tuition and fees.

Applications for the 2026 scholarship open January 1, 2026. 
Dentsply Sirona and The Foundation for Endodontics encourage eligible candidates to apply for next year’s scholarships beginning January 1, 2026. Both organizations look forward to the positive impact this scholarship program will continue to have on the lives and careers of endodontic residents. 

For more information about the Foundation for Endodontics and Dentsply Sirona Freedom Scholarship, please click here.

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Press Contact

Edelman GmbH 
Schöneberger Straße 15 | 10963 Berlin, Germany | T +49 (0) 173 781 2582
publicrelations@dentsplysirona.com | www.edelman.com

Marion Par-Weixlberger | Vice President Public Relations & Corporate Communications
Sirona Straße 1 | 5071 Wals bei Salzburg, Austria 
publicrelations@dentsplysirona.com | www.dentsplysirona.com

About Dentsply Sirona
Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest diversified manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world-class brands.

Dentsply Sirona’s innovative products provide, high-quality, effective and connected solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care. Dentsply Sirona’s headquarters is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Company’s shares are listed in the United States on Nasdaq under the symbol XRAY.

Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products.

Foundation for Endodontics Press Contact

Kim FitzSimmons, MBA, CAE | Chief Marketing & Communications Officer 
180 N Stetson Ave, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60601-6710 | T 312-872-0458 
kfitzsimmons@aae.org

About the Foundation for Endodontics

The AAE Foundation was incorporated in 1966, as the philanthropic arm of the AAE; it is a 501(c)3 charity. Over the years, its mission and activities have evolved. Today, the AAE Foundation, nicknamed the Foundation for Endodontics, makes a lasting impact on the specialty of endodontics by providing resources to address needs, meet challenges and realize dreams for the future. Learn more at aae.org/foundation.