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Volume2 Issue2
O
bituaries
Dr. David Precious, a world leader in oral and maxillofacial
surgery, passedawayonFebruary3, 2015, at theageof 70.
A pillar of the dental community at Dalhousie University,
Dr. Precious was a well-liked and respected professor. He
taught for over 35 years, served as chair of thedepartment of
oral andmaxillofacial sciences for close to 20 years, andwas
appointed dean of the faculty of dentistry in 2003. He was
nameddean emeritus in 2008. Over the course of his career,
he published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and
abstracts, andwrote 8manuals and 15 book chapters in oral
andmaxillofacial surgery.
A humanitarian at heart, Dr. Precious truly believed in the
importance of helping those in need. He took part in his
first overseas outreachmission in 1995. That began a 20-year
adventure thatwould takehim toVietnam, Tunisia, India and
Brazil to offer free cleft lip and palate surgery to children. He
would also teach and train local surgeons, to enable them
to perform the procedures themselves. “Why do I do it?
It’s simple, really: it’s so rewarding, it almost feels selfish,”
Dr. Precious once said in reference to his volunteeringwork.
Hewas inductedasaMemberof theOrderofCanada in2007
in recognition of his outstanding commitment to treating
thosewithdentaland facialdeformities inCanadaandabroad.
REMEMBERING
DENTISTRYLEADERS
DR.DAVIDPRECIOUS
Dr. Precious was a wonderful ambassador for our
profession and will be trulymissed.
—
Dr.GaryMacDonald, CDAPresident
Dr.DavidPrecious (centre) andhis colleaguesevaluatea
youngpatient requiringcleftpalate surgery.
Dr. Preciousalsoput timeaside togiveback to theprofession.
He servedaspresidentof theNovaScotiaDentalAssociation,
president of the Canadian Association of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons, registrar and chief examiner in oral
and maxillofacial surgery for the Royal College of Dentists
of Canada, regent of the Board of the American College of
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, chair of CDA’s council on
education, chair of the Boardof Trustees of the International
Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation—of which he was also
a founding member—as well as being involved with the
CommissiononDental Accreditationof Canada.
“Dr. Precious was a remarkable individual who has made a
tremendous difference to so many lives around the world
through his humanitarian outreach. He will be fondly
remembered by all who knew him and those fortunate
enough to learn from this outstanding surgeon, scholar and
dean,” said CDA President Dr. Gary MacDonald in tribute to
his colleague. “Dr. Preciouswas awonderful ambassador for
our professionandwill be trulymissed.”
Dr. Precious’ brilliant career won him numerous honours.
On the Canadian scene, he received CDA’s Medal of Honour
in 2010 (one of only 3 recipients ever of CDA’s pinnacle
award), honorarydegrees fromLavalUniversityandDalhousie
University, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee
Medal. His achievementswerealso recognized internationally:
he received two awards from the American College of Oral
andMaxillofacial Surgeons—theHarryArcher Award and the
Humanitarian Award—and theWilliamHarrigan Award from
theWilliamF.HarriganSociety.
Dr. Precious is survivedbyhiswifeof 46 years, Elizabeth, and
their twochildren, SusanandBruce.
a
