Awards in dentistry are common. You’ll see “Top Dentist” badges everywhere online. You’ll see “Best of” plaques in waiting rooms. Some of those awards mean something. Others are just marketing.
But there’s one award that carries real weight in the dental community. The Dawson Academy’s “Best Case of the Year” award. Faculty and alumni vote for it. It recognizes exceptional clinical work and outcomes. And it’s not easy to win.
Dr. Ryan Springer has won it twice!
He’s the only 2-time winner in Dawson Academy history. That’s not a small distinction. It reflects his skill, dedication, and commitment to delivering exceptional results for his patients.
At Arlington Advanced Dentistry, we believe you deserve to know what that means for your care. So let’s talk about it.
What Is the Dawson Academy?
Before we explain the award, let’s talk about the institution behind it.
The Dawson Academy is one of the most respected advanced dental education institutions in the world. It was founded on the principles of Complete Dentistry, a philosophy that treats the entire chewing system, not just individual teeth.
Dawson-trained dentists learn to evaluate occlusion (how your teeth come together), jaw joint function, muscle balance, and the relationships among these elements. They understand that a healthy smile isn’t just about straight, white teeth. It’s about a smile that functions properly and lasts.
The Dawson Academy attracts dentists from around the world. Its alumni include some of the most skilled practitioners in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. To be recognized by this community is a significant honor.
Dr. Springer is a Dawson Academy scholar. He’s completed advanced training in TMJ disorders, complex reconstructive dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry through the Academy. Its faculty and alumni have recognized him twice as producing the best clinical work in his peer group.
What Is the “Best Case of the Year” Award?
The “Best Case of the Year” award is presented annually at the Dawson Academy’s meeting. It recognizes the most exceptional clinical case submitted by a dentist in the program.
Submissions are evaluated by Dawson Academy faculty and alumni. They look at:
- The complexity of the case
- The quality of the diagnosis and treatment planning
- The execution of the treatment
- The final aesthetic and functional outcome
- The longevity and stability of the result
This isn’t a participation trophy. It’s a peer-reviewed recognition of excellence. Dentists submit their best work, and we select only one case each year.
Dr. Springer has won it twice. No one else has.
Why This Award Matters for Your Dental Care
It means your Arlington Heights dentist has been recognized by his peers as one of the best at what he does. It means he can handle complex cases that other dentists might struggle with, and he’s committed to delivering results that are both beautiful and functional.
Complex Case Expertise
The cases submitted for this award aren’t simple fillings or routine cleanings. They’re complex reconstructive cases. Patients with missing teeth, worn-down teeth, bite problems, and aesthetic concerns. Cases that require careful planning, advanced techniques, and a deep understanding of how the entire chewing system works.
Dr. Springer has demonstrated mastery in these cases. If you have a complex dental situation, you’re in capable hands.
Aesthetic Excellence
The award also recognizes aesthetic outcomes. Dr. Springer’s cases don’t just function well. They look natural and beautiful. This reflects his artistic eye, his training in cosmetic dentistry, and his AACD accreditation.
Long-Term Stability
The Dawson Academy emphasizes results that last. A case that looks good for a year isn’t good enough. The winning cases demonstrate stability over time. This means Dr. Springer’s work is built to last.
Peer Recognition
Other dentists vote on the award. These are professionals who understand the complexity of the work and the skill required to execute it. Their recognition carries more weight than any patient review or marketing claim.
Dr. Springer’s Journey to Excellence
The “Best Case of the Year” award didn’t happen by accident. It resulted from years of training, practice, and dedication.
Education and Training
Dr. Springer graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry with the highest clinical performance in his class. He received the Dean’s Silver Award for having the highest national board scores. He was invited to teach restorative dentistry and implantology because of his outstanding performance.
Dr. Springer then completed a year-long implant fellowship. During this fellowship, he gained the skills to treat even the most complex dental implant cases.
Continuing Education
Dr. Springer has completed thousands of hours of continuing education. He’s a scholar of the Dawson Academy. He’s an alumnus of the Kois Center, Pankey Institute, and Spear Institute, where he received advanced training in TMJ disorders, complex reconstructive dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry.
Dr. Springer is also one of only 400 dentists worldwide accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He and Dr. Stevan Orser were the only partners in Illinois to hold that distinction.
Award-Winning Work
Beyond the Dawson Academy award, Dr. Springer received the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Award and the Academy of Osseointegration Implant Dentistry Award. These awards recognize excellence in implant dentistry.
He’s also pursuing a fellowship with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
What This Means for Patients in Arlington Heights
If you live in Arlington Heights or the surrounding communities, you have access to a dentist with world-class credentials. You don’t have to travel to Chicago or search for a specialist elsewhere. You can receive exceptional care right here in your neighborhood.
Comprehensive Care Under One Roof
Dr. Springer has advanced training in surgery, cosmetic dentistry, and implantology. He can treat advanced cases on-site, which means fewer referrals and more continuity of care. You don’t have to coordinate between multiple offices. You get one team, one plan, and one point of accountability.
Aesthetic and Functional Results
The Dawson Academy philosophy emphasizes Complete Dentistry. This means Dr. Springer doesn’t just make teeth look good. He ensures your bite is stable, your restorations function properly, and your results last. The “Best Case of the Year” award reflects that commitment.
A Team of Experts
Dr. Springer isn’t working alone. Our practice also includes Dr. Tanner Hauptman, a general dentist with advanced training in implant dentistry, restorative dentistry, full mouth rehabilitation, root canal therapy, and oral surgery.
Dr. Hauptman completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System’s Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital. He served as both Class President and Student Body President during dental school at Case Western Reserve University. He was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship for Academic and Clinical Excellence and was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society.
Together, they provide comprehensive care for adults in Arlington Heights.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you’re looking for a dentist in Arlington Heights recognized by his peers as one of the best, we’d love to meet you. Dr. Springer and our team will take the time to listen to your goals, evaluate your smile, and create a personalized treatment plan.
Call our Arlington Heights dental practice at 224-491-4229 or request an appointment online.
Arlington Advanced Dentistry serves Arlington Heights, Palatine, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, and surrounding communities.