The American Board of Orthodontics presents the 2017 O.B. Vaughan Special Recognition Award to Dr. Deborah Priestap

 

The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) awarded Deborah Priestap, D.D.S., M.S., of Milford, Michigan, the O.B. Vaughan Special Recognition Award on Saturday, April 22 at the annual luncheon of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, which was held in conjunction with the 2017 Annual Session of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) in San Diego, California.

The O.B. Vaughan Special Recognition Award is named in honor of Dr. O.B. Vaughan, an ABO past president. The ABO established this award to acknowledge those who have made significant contributions to orthodontic education and furthered the ideals of the ABO.

Dr. Priestap received her doctorate in dentistry from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1983. She went on to study orthodontics, earning her master’s degree from the University of Detroit in 1986. She maintained a private orthodontic practice for 23 years in Milford.

Currently, she is an adjunct professor of graduate orthodontics at the University of Detroit Mercy, a position she has held since 2000. From 1999 to 2015, she served as an adjunct professor of graduate orthodontics at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Dr. Priestap has thoroughly enjoyed her time working with the orthodontic residents in the clinic. “It’s given me an opportunity to work one-on-one with the residents,” she said. “I learn more from them!”

In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Priestap is a member of the Michigan Board of Dentistry, which allows her to work with all facets of dentistry. She is also a past president of the Michigan Association of Orthodontists, and past vice president and past director of the Council of Michigan Dental Specialties. She is a board-certified orthodontist and serves as an examiner for the ABO’s board examinations.

“I am floored by this award,” Dr. Priestap said. “It’s an immense privilege and humbling.”