At the recently concluded inaugural Kenya Dentistry Awards, held at the Serena Hotel on December 16, 2025, Dr. Joseph Gakonyo was honored as the Dentist of the Year. These awards celebrate excellence in oral health by recognizing individuals and organizations that continuously redefine dental care standards and promote oral health excellence across the nation.
This accolade represents the highest honor among the 15 award categories. Dr. Gakonyo was nominated as one of the top 100 dentists in Kenya, followed by a rigorous voting process that narrowed the field to four finalists. A distinguished panel of judges, comprising prominent Kenyan dentists, ultimately cast their votes to select the recipient of this prestigious recognition.
The selection criteria required nominees to be entrepreneurs, educators, and mentors in the field. Dr. Joseph Gakonyo has traveled extensively in pursuit of advanced knowledge and clinical skills in periodontology, implantology, and regenerative medicine. He continues to educate hundreds of colleagues as an invited guest speaker, trainer, and facilitator at congresses throughout Africa.
This award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of Dr. Gakonyo’s significant contributions to the field, particularly in representing Kenya at major global meetings and mentoring fellow practitioners. Furthermore, this recognition serves as a tremendous motivation for the dental team at Summit Dental Care, where Dr. Gakonyo focuses on implants, gum treatment, and the regeneration of complex cases.
Dr. Joseph Gakonyo: A Renowned Kenyan Dental Expert
Dr. Joseph Gakonyo is a highly respected dental professional, possessing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from Nairobi Univesity and a Master of Science in Oral Implantology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He has expanded his knowledge through advanced master’s programs in Implantology, Digital Dentistry, and Periodontology in Bologna, Italy; Vienna, Austria (University of Vienna); Germany; and the University of Bern, Switzerland. At the University of Bern, Dr. Gakonyo received specialized training, mastering advanced periodontics techniques that have allowed him to restore health to many patients suffering from severe gum disease.
His areas of expertise encompass:
- Implant Dentistry
- Digital Dentistry
- Periodontology
- Regenerative Dental Medicine
He is the founder and CEO of Summit Dental Care, a clinic located in Kilimani, Nairobi, conveniently located next to Yaya Center. This multispecialist dental clinic features a team of implantologists, orthodontists, restorative dentists, prosthodontists, general dentists, and hygienists. The clinic provides comprehensive dental care for the entire family, from children to seniors.
Dr. Gakonyo actively participates in international conferences throughout Europe to remain informed about the latest advancements in his field and to collaborate with fellow professionals. He is a Fellow of the International Team for Implantology (ITI) and serves as an accredited speaker for the organization. Additionally, he is involved in research and publications in the fields of implantology and periodontology and frequently presents lectures as an invited guest speaker. In Kenya, he is dedicated to mentoring numerous colleagues in his areas of expertise, and his clinical cases are meticulously documented and compiled in his book, “Compendium of Clinical Cases.”
