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Volume2 Issue8
O
bituaries
REMEMBERING
DENTISTRYLEADERS
Apioneer inpediatricdentistry inCanada, Dr. Gordon Jinks
of Vancouver passed away onDecember 10, 2014. Hewas
93 years old.
A 1946 graduate from the University of Toronto, Dr. Jinks
chose pediatric dentistry at a time when the specialty
was still in its infancy andmany (including some dentists)
did not appreciate the importance of preserving primary
dentition. But Dr. Jinks was passionate about his career
choice and he truly believed that research could help
shape pediatric dentistry. He dedicated his time and
energy to changing attitudes and behaviours. Dr. Jinks
helped pave the way for pediatric dentists in Canada
and he advanced the specialty’s knowledge of fluoride-
containing restorations, rubber dam isolation, and pain
andbehaviourmanagement.
One of the first to publish on the use of rubber dam
frames inpediatricpatients, Dr. Jinkswas thereafter invited
to teach at the University of Washington. He would later
become a clinical professor in the department of dental
sciences at theUniversityof BritishColumbia.
Dr. Jinks genuinely wanted children to feel at ease in his
office. So when a patient suggested that her Cabbage
Patch Kids doll would need bands just like her, he created
front teeth for the doll. He could then examine the doll’s
teethandexplain to the8-year-oldpatientwhather dental
visit would entail and how to care for her teeth. Theword
quickly spreadwithinhis patient community, andDr. Jinks
startedmass producingdoll teeth.
Dr. Jinks receivedseveralawardsduringhiscareer, including
from theCanadianAcademy of PediatricDentistry (CAPD),
BritishColumbiaDental Association, andAmericanSociety
of Dentistry for Children. Dr. Jinks also served as president
of CAPD in1976–77.
a
DR.ROLLIN
MATSUI
DR.GORDON
JINKS
Dr. Rollin Matsui of Toronto passed away on November 4,
2015at theageof 62.
A 1979 graduate from the University of Toronto, Dr. Matsui
became involved in organized dentistry early in his career
and served as councillor of the Royal College of Dental
SurgeonsofOntario (RCDSO) from1983–86.
While still passionate about the dental profession,
Dr. Matsui decided to go back to school to study law. He
obtained his degree from York University in 1991 and was
called to the Ontario Bar in 1993. What could simply have
beenadetour inDr.Matsui’spathwould in factbecome the
cornerstoneof his career—hebecamea trustedcounsel for
dental colleagues inneedof legal advice.
Dr. Matsui maintained a full-time law practice on top of a
part-timedental practice. As a lawyer, hewould advise and
defend dentists on a variety of topics including patient
disputes, official complaints and investigations, acquisitions
and salesof dental practices, employment agreements, and
professionalmisconductmatters.
Dr. Matsui served as executive director and program
director of the Canadian Dental Protective Association, an
organization dedicated to offering risk management
solutions to dentists. He also sat on the RCDSO complaints
and discipline committees, and served on the editorial
boardof
OralHealth
for ethics and jurisprudence.
Dr. Matsui was a part-time lecturer at the University of
Toronto faculty of dentistry. He was also a guest speaker,
giving lectures to numerous dentists, dental organizations,
and health organizations in the areas of dental law
and electronic health records. His contributions to the
profession were recognized by many, and he was a fellow
of the American College of Dentists, International College
of Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy, and Academy of
Dentistry International
a
