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Volume2 Issue5
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ews and
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vents
OralHealthPromotionAward
TheOralHealthPromotionAward recognizes individualsororganizationswhohave improved theoralhealth
ofCanadians throughoralhealthpromotion. Thismay involvecreatingpublichealthpolicyor supportive
environments, strengtheningcommunityaction,developingpersonal skills,and/or increasing theprevention
oforaldiseasesanddisorders. TheOralHealthPromotionAwardwasawarded to
Dr.PamelaGlassby
of
Vancouver.
Dr.Glassby
hasdedicatedher career to
improving theoral healthof youngchildren
inBritishColumbia (BC), especially those in
low-income families. ShecreatedSmile to
Smile/Knee toKnee (S2S/K2K), aprogram
for vulnerablechildrenand their families
that assessesachild’scaries riskandhelps
parentsdevelop the skills theyneed toprovide
their childrenwithgoodoral care. Shealsocreated
educational resourcesonmanaging thefirstdental
visit fordentistsanddental students. Throughher
many successful oral health initiatives,Dr.Glassby
has influenced the livesofmanyBC families.
Pamela is awonderful publichealthdentist inBC— she’s a trailblazer, and thousands of childrenhave
benefittedfromher efforts,” saidMs. Jocelyn Johnston, executivedirectorof theBritishColumbiaDental
Association,whoaccepted theawardonDr.Glassby’s behalf.
DistinguishedServiceAward
TheDistinguishedServiceAward isgiven to recognizeoutstandingcontributions to thedentalprofession, the
dental communityor theoralhealthofCanadiansat large, inagivenyearor foroutstandingserviceovera
numberofyears. Itmayalso recognizeoutstandingcontributionsat theacademic, corporate, specialty
society, council, commissionorcommittee level. TheDistinguishedServiceAwardwaspresented to2 recipients:
Dr.BlaineCleghorn
ofHalifax,and
Dr.AmilShapka
ofSt.Paul,Alberta.
Dr.Cleghorn,
assistantdeanof clinicsand
building services in the facultyofdentistry
atDalhousieUniversity, isa leader indental
educationat the local, provincial, national
and international levels.Hisexcellence
in teachinghasbeen recognizedwitha
numberofprestigiousawards, including
twicewinning theW.W.WoodAward from
theAssociationofCanadianFacultiesofDentistry
(ACFD) and theACFDNational TeachingAward.
Throughhiseducational innovationsand leadership
roleswithACFD, theCommissiononDental
Accreditation, and theNationalDental Examining
BoardofCanada,Dr. Cleghornhasmadea lasting
impacton thedental student experienceand the
professionalmembership inCanada.
It’s beenprivilege forme tohavebeen involved inmanyprovincial, national and international organizations.
I’vehad incrediblementors and teachers along theway,whohave influencedandguided
my lifeand career choices.”
Dr. Shapka
is apractisingdentist inSt. Paul,
Alberta, and founder of theKindness
inActionSociety (KIA), anon-profit
organization that providesdental care to
people living inpoor and remote regionsof
theworld. For 21years, Dr. Shapkahasbeen
committed to sustainingandexpanding
KIA’swork, anoperation that involvesover
250volunteers eachyear. His effortshavemadea
tremendousdifference, not only for the thousands
of peoplearound theworldwhohavebenefited
from thedental careandpain relief providedby
KIAvolunteers, but also for thehundredsof
KIAvolunteerswhose liveshavebeenenriched
by theexperience.
Working selflesslyfrom theheart is a life-changing, life-affirming experience formost andmy experience isno
exception. Perhapsmost importantly, ithas beenahumblingandgentle reminder thatweall havemuch tobe
grateful for.Asdentistsweareprivileged tobeable to contribute to thewell-beingof others and, aboveall else,
dentistry is ahelpingprofession.”
