46
|
Volume1 Issue1
O
bituaries
Dr. Dennis C. Smith, aworldpioneer inbiomaterials research,
passedawayonFebruary21, 2014, at theageof 86.
A chemist, Dr. Smithwas recruited to theUniversityof Toron-
to in 1969 to become professor and head of biomaterials in
the facultyof dentistry. “Hebuilt a leading-edge research lab-
oratory, and established a graduateprogram inbiomaterials,”
explains Dr. Daniel Haas, dean of theU of T faculty. “He then
wenton todeveloponeof the few truly international research
programs inbiomaterials in theworld.”
Dr. Smith was also a founding member of the university’s
Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering. His
research achievements include the invention of polycarbo
xylate cements to chemically bond materials to tooth
structure and the development of acrylic cements for the
fixationof hipprostheses.
Dr. Smith chaired the ISO committee on dental standards
(ISO/TC 106) from 2000 to 2005. “As chair of TC 106, Dennis
was compassionate, understanding and knowledgeable in
dealingwith consensus discussions,” remembersDr. DerekW.
Jones, current committee chair. “Wehave lost agreatman—
a wonderful colleague and
friend who will be deeply
missed.”
Several organizations recog-
nizedDr. Smith’s tremendous
contributions to the profession and biomaterials sciences. He
received honorary doctorate degrees from four different uni-
versities—Toronto,McGill,DalhousieandManchester—andwas
grantedCDA’sHonoraryMembership in2006andDistinguished
ServiceAward in 1995. In 2007, Dr. Smithwas appointed to the
OrderofCanada.
Dr. Smith is survivedbyhiswifeof 59 years, Eileen, and their
six children, Christopher, Frances, Hilary, Gregory, Helen and
Dominic.
On February 22, 2014, CDA’s first and only chair emeritus
Dr. Nicholas (Nick)Mancini ofHamilton,Ontario, passedaway
at theageof 92.
Dr. Mancini chaired CDA’s Board of Governors for 26 years,
from1977 to2003. In recognitionof hismany yearsof service,
CDA’s Board of Directors bestowed upon him the title of
chair emeritus—an unprecedented honour. Dr. Mancini also
served as chair of the Board of
Directors of the OntarioDental
Association (1969–96) and
CDSPI (1983–95).
“Nick was a true gentleman and a diplomat and he always
had the best interest of the profession in mind,” recalls
Dr. KevinRoach, CDApresident in1989–90. “I considerNick to
be theepitomeof adental leader aswell asamentor.”
Dr. Roach recalls that Dr. Mancini’s outgoing personality
and political relationships greatly helped Canadian dentist-
ry during times when several key issues were at play. But it
was the personal touch thatmadeDr. Mancini so successful,
“He could relate to all sorts of people; listen to them, make
them feel comfortable. When Nick would chair a meeting,
he always found a way of bringing it into line and getting
things accomplished,” says Dr. Roach. “Nick may have been
small in stature, buthewasagiant indentistry.”
Dr. Mancini earned his dental degree from the University of
Buffalo in1948andwas anaccomplisheddentist for 63 years.
He received several awards forhis contributions to theprofes-
sion, includingCDAHonoraryMembership, AcademyofDen-
tistry International’sHonoraryFellowship,OntarioDentalAsso-
ciation’s BarnabusDayAward andPierre FauchardAcademy’s
ElmerS. BestMemorialAward.
Dr.Mancini is survivedbyhis threechildren,Michael, Nicholas
and JohnPatrick.
Remembering
DentistryLeadeRs
Dr.Nicholas
Mancini
Dr.Dennis
C. Smith
“We have lost a great
man—a wonderful
colleague and friend who
will be deeplymissed.”
“Nickmay have been
small in stature, but he
was a giant in dentistry.”
