Gila Herald Staff Reports
PHOENIX — Dr. Gregory Waite, DDS, Chief of Dental at San Carlos Apache Healthcare (SCAHC), has taken his extensive experience in public health and state dental regulation to the national stage after being elected Vice Chair of the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX).
Dr. Waite’s election took place during the organization’s Annual Meeting at the 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and Educators Conference, held mid-October at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
With a career spanning 39 years in dentistry—including 28 years at a Federally Qualified Health Center and his tenure directing dental care at SCAHC—Dr. Waite brings a profound commitment to underserved communities and high professional standards to his new leadership role. He joined San Carlos Apache Healthcare as Dental Director in 2017 and currently serves as Chief of Dental.
A Legacy of State and National Leadership
Dr. Waite’s national appointment builds on 12 years of dedicated service on the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners, including six years as the board’s president. In addition to his regulatory background, he has served as a national testing examiner for clinical examinations.
His extensive resume also features 18 years of work in forensic dentistry, notably including deployment to assist with identification efforts following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina.
“My 39 years in dentistry, including six years as president of the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners, have shaped my commitment to patient protection,” Dr. Waite said. “I am honored to bring that commitment to ADEX and work with this outstanding board to uphold the national standards that protect patients across the country. Arizona has a strong tradition of rigorous dental regulation, and I am proud to carry that perspective to the national stage.”
Upholding Standards Nationwide
ADEX is the nation’s leading organization for dental licensure testing, supporting state dental boards in protecting the public through fair, independent competency evaluations. Established in 1969, ADEX testing pathways are accepted or required across 51 U.S. jurisdictions and serve as the foundational licensure pathway for most dental and dental hygiene candidates nationwide.
Dr. Waite joins newly elected ADEX Chair Dr. Rudy Ramos, a Houston-based dentist and former president of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
“Dr. Waite’s career reflects a commitment to expanding access to quality dental care while holding the profession to its highest standards,” said Alexander Vandiver, ADEX Chief Executive Officer. “His experience as a state board president, a national testing examiner, and a practitioner serving underserved communities gives him a perspective that will be invaluable as ADEX supports licensure standards that help states protect patients across the country.”
