DIAC Excellence Awards: Eligibility & Nomination Criteria

The DIAC Excellence Awards recognize outstanding people and organizations making meaningful contributions to DIAC and the Canadian dental industry.

Before submitting a nomination, please review the eligibility requirements, nomination requirements and award-specific criteria below.

Eligibility

The DIAC Excellence Awards are open to current DIAC members in good standing.

For organization awards, the nominated organization must be a current DIAC member in good standing, with membership paid for 2026–2027.

For individual awards, the nominee must be affiliated with a current DIAC member organization in good standing.

Organizations and individuals who are not currently DIAC members are welcome to join DIAC to become eligible to participate.

Self-nominations are not permitted. Nominations may be submitted by DIAC members and industry peers.

Nomination Requirements

Each nomination must include:

• Nominator name, organization and contact information
• Award category (one category per nomination form)
• Nominee name and organization (or, for individual awards, the individual's name and company affiliation).
• A summary of 150 words or fewer explaining why the nominee deserves recognition
  
• Up to two supporting examples or items of evidence demonstrating impact
• Confirmation that the nominee (or, for individual awards, their affiliated organization) is a current DIAC member in good standing.

Incomplete nominations, or nominations that do not include the required supporting evidence, may be set aside.

Award-Specific Criteria

1. Henry Doyle Member of the Year Award

Presented annually in memory of Henry Doyle, DIAC Board President and Chair (2021–2023), whose passion and integrity strengthened the Association, and whose commitment to our industry continues to inspire its future leaders.

Henry led DIAC with passion and integrity during his tenure as President, and was a respected figure in our industry as a whole. His companies, including Heaps & Doyle, are longtime members of the Association, and he committed countless hours of his time to our board and committees over the years. We will always be grateful to him for his service to our organization, and, by extension, to our industry.

Eligible recipients: Individuals from any DIAC member sector.

Recognizes: Exceptional commitment to DIAC and outstanding contribution to the broader Canadian dental industry community, reflecting the spirit of Henry Doyle's leadership and service. Recognition is based on work undertaken or materially advanced within the 24 months preceding the nomination deadline.

Nominations should demonstrate:

• Contribution to DIAC: Active service through committee or working-group involvement, volunteering, advocacy support, event participation or acting as an ambassador for DIAC.
  
• Contribution to the broader industry: Leadership or service beyond DIAC that benefits the Canadian dental industry.
  
• Leadership and collaboration: Influence among peers, mentorship and constructive collaboration across the membership.
  
• Sustained engagement: Consistency and depth of involvement rather than a single contribution.

Supporting evidence may include: Specific contributions, roles or initiatives with approximate dates; one or two concrete examples of impact on DIAC or the wider industry; and, optionally, a peer who can speak to the nomination.

2. Excellence in Service Award

Eligible recipients: Any DIAC member organization.

Recognizes: A service, solution or area of expertise that has strengthened the Canadian dental industry, based on work undertaken or materially advanced within the 24 months preceding the nomination deadline.

Nominations should demonstrate:

• Service delivery and client outcomes: Reliability, responsiveness and measurable benefit to the members or clients served.
  
• Expertise and value delivered: Demonstrated expertise and meaningful value provided through the service or solution.
  
• Innovation in approach: New or improved methods, models or tools that enhance service delivery.
  
• Reach and contribution: The extent to which the service benefits the broader Canadian dental industry.

Supporting evidence may include: A description of the service, engagement or initiative; relevant metrics, outcomes or client feedback; and, optionally, a client or member reference.

3. Workforce Development Award

Eligible recipients: Any DIAC member organization.

Recognizes: Investment in building a workplace where people thrive through training, talent development and professional growth within the dental industry, based on work undertaken or materially advanced within the 24 months preceding the nomination deadline.

Nominations should demonstrate:

• Employee and workplace outcomes: Positive impact on employees, professional growth and workplace culture.
  
• Scale and reach: The breadth of participation and impact across the organization.
  
• Inclusivity and equity: Attention to diversity, access and fairness in the design and delivery of the initiative.
  
• Sustainability: Evidence of an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time initiative.

Supporting evidence may include: A description of the program or initiative; participation and outcome data where available; and, optionally, a participant or staff reference.

4. Lifetime Achievement Award

Eligible recipients: Senior dental industry individuals nominated by their peers.

Recognizes: Decades of sustained and consistent contribution to the Canadian dental industry, recognized by the DIAC Board. Unlike the other award categories, there is no fixed recognition period for this career-spanning honour.

Nominations should demonstrate:

• Duration and consistency of contribution: Sustained involvement in the Canadian dental industry, typically spanning decades.
  
• Lasting industry impact: Demonstrable contributions that have had an enduring influence on the industry.
  
• Peer recognition and standing: Strong professional reputation and recognition among industry peers.
  
• Stewardship and integrity: Consistent leadership, professionalism and commitment to the sector throughout the nominee’s career.

Help Us Celebrate The Best Of Our Industry

VIEW AWARD CATEGORIES & SUBMIT A NOMINATION