An activist for oral health, Dr. Hazel Juanita Harper has served dentistry in many capacities. Deeply involved in health legislation and policy issues, she maintains a private practice in general dentistry within a multispecialty dental group, while providing consulting services to nonprofit health organizations.

Dr. Harper was a member of President Bill Clinton's Health Care Reform Task Force (1993). Under the direction of U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher, she contributed to the first Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health (1999-2000).

Dr. Harper lobbies for dental health in communities of color, delivering congressional testimony on many occasions. An ardent proponent of women's health, she serves on the Advisory Task Force of the National Institutes of Health's Office of Research on Women's Health.

Dr. Harper received her B.S. in 1971 from Howard University and her D.D.S. from Howard University College of Dentistry (HUCD) in 1975. She holds a master's in public health from Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health (1978).

A former faculty member in HUCD's Department of Community Dentistry, Dr. Harper continues to donate her time as an assistant professor and student mentor. In 1997, she became the first woman president in the 85-year history of the National Dental Association (NDA). She spearheaded the formation of the NDA's Women's Health Symposium in 1992. In 1996, she founded the NDA's Corporate Roundtable and shaped the organization's strategic plan. She currently serves as consultant to the Roundtable, which strengthens NDA's growth and development through corporate giving, fund-raising, administrative contributions, and active participation in programs at the national and local levels.

As editor of the Journal of the National Dental Association, Dr. Harper has authored and co-authored numerous articles focusing on the health needs of African Americans and the underserved.

Dr. Harper was the first to represent African American dentists on the covers of Dental Economics magazine (February 2001) and the Woman Dentist Journal (April/March 2003). She has been awarded many honors for professional service and community involvement, and serves on numerous editorial boards and boards of directors.