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Volume3 Issue6
O
bituaries
REMEMBERING
DENTISTRYLEADERS
Dr. GeorgeSweetnamof Lindsay, Ontario, passedawayon
July12, 2016. Hewas 74yearsold.
Dr. Sweetnamobtainedadegree inmicrobiology from the
UniversityofGuelphbeforegraduating from theUniversity
of Toronto’sdental school in1971. Hemaintainedaprivate
practice inLindsay for 43years.
Dr. Sweetnamnever dreamedof becoming a leading
figureof thedental profession. Yet a simple request from
his local dental society tobecome involved started a
dominoeffect thatwouldbringhim to thehighest levels
of organizeddentistry. “Around the same time that the
Peterborough andDistrictDental Society approachedme,
I wrote a letter to the communications committeeof the
OntarioDental Association
(ODA)withmy thoughts
onhow they shouldbe
fighting capitation,” he
once toldCDA. “The
next thing I knew, I
was onboth thedental
society’s executive and
ODA’s communications
committee!” Dr. Sweetnam
had foundhis calling.
Passionateabout
advancing theprofession,
Dr. Sweetnamwould
assumemanypivotal roles
at the local, provincial and
national levels. After being
actively involvedwith the
ODA formanyyears, he
became theassociation’s
president in1993. Healso
sat onCDA’sboardof
governors andexecutivecouncil, aswell asonnumerous
committees, task forces andcouncils.Whenhebecame
CDApresident in2001, Dr. Sweetnam focusedon theneeds
anddesiresof Canadiandentists,whilealsoensuring that all
stakeholdersworked toward the samegoals. “Hewas a true
consensusbuilder,” saysDr. TomBreneman, CDApresident in
2002–03. “I remember aparticularmeetingwhen theBoard
ofDirectorswashavingahard timecoming tograspwithan
issue. Duringacoffeebreak, Georgewent aroundand talked
toeveryoneof us individually to try toachieveconsensus
outside themeeting, for us tomove the issuealong. And
hemanaged todo just that. That’s the kindof leader he
was: heheardeverybody’s concerns, and thenworked
towardblending them sowecouldcome toa solution that
benefitedeverybody.”
Hisdedication to theprofessionwas recognizedbymany
organizations. Dr. Sweetnamwas a fellowof the International
CollegeofDentists and thePierreFauchardAcademy, and
he received theODABarnabusDayDistinguishedService
Award in2007.
Dr. Sweetnam’smantraof givingback tohis community
alsoheld true inhispersonal life. Anaviationenthusiast,
hechaired theboard for theLindsayAirport. He servedas
president of theLindsayLightingBolts SwimCluband
senior officialwithSwimOntario, swimmingbeinga
passion sharedamongmembersof his family. Inhis spare
time, Dr. Sweetnamplayed the trombone inabigband.
“George truly lovedmusic,” saysDr. Breneman. Hisband—
includingDr. Sweetnamhimself—evenmadea special
appearanceat hisCDApresident’s installationdinner. “But
above it all, hisnumber onepriorityalways remainedhis
family. Hiswifeandchildrenwerealways topofmind,” adds
Dr. Breneman.
Dr. Sweetnam is survivedbyhiswifeof 49yearsMarianand
their threechildren, Steven, NancyandPeter.
a
DR.GEORGESWEETNAM
Dr.GeorgeSweetnamandhis
bigbandwerenoteworthy
entertainment athisCDA
president’s installationdinner
in2001.
