The Pierre Fauchard Academy Certificate of Merit may be presented by any international section to more than one candidate each year in recognition of a worthy effort on behalf the profession or the Academy. International sections only.

2024 Award of Merit

Canadian Trustee, Dr. Lisa Bentley presented Awards of Merit to the members of the Technical Submissions Working Group, which was Co-Chaired by B.C. Dental Association CEO Jocelyn Johnston and ODA’s CEO, Mr Frank Bevilacqua. Dr. Scott Leckie accepted the award for Rafi Mohammed, CEO of the Manitoba Dental Association, Sandi Kossey is the CEO of the Alberta Dental Association and Dr. Craig Smith for Steve Jennex, ED for the Nova Scotia Dental Association. This group was integral in providing critical information to Health Canada, to assist in the creation of a national dental plan.

Past Certificate of Merit Recepients:

Dr. Kim Hansen, Ontario Dental Association President 2019-2020
Dr. Lesli Hapak, Ontario Dental Association President 2020-2021
Dr. Charles Frank, Ontario Dental Association President 2021-2022
Dr. Janet Leith, Vice-Chair of Ontario’s Pandemic Recovery Working Group, (PRWG)
Dr. Ian Furst, Member of Ontario’s Pandemic Recovery Working Group
Dr. Jonathan Mahn, Member of Ontario’s Pandemic Recovery Working Group
Dr. Carlos Quinonez, Member of Ontario’s Pandemic recovery Working Group
Dr. Deborah Saunders, Member of Ontario’s Pandemic Recovery Working Group

ONTARIO DENTAL ASSOCIATION SUPPORT STAFF TO THE PANDEMIC RECOVERY WORKING GROUP:
Mr. Frank Bevilaqua, CEO of the Ontario Dental Association
Mr. David Gentili, ODA Director of Professional and Government Affairs
Mr. Marcus Staviss, ODA Director of Communication, Public Affairs and Events
Ms. Jenna Berndt, Administrative Assistant to Professional and Governance Affairs
Mr. Riti Bhandari, ODA Professional Affairs Coordinator
Mr, joe Chiera,, ODA Professional and Government affairs Administrator Assistant
Ms. Bonnie Dean, ODA Manger of Communications and Public affairs
Ms. Tamara Gilgorevic, ODA Health Policy Specialist
Ms, Roberta MacLean, ODA Professional Affairs Policy Manager

In March of 2020 dental practices in Ontario were limited to emergency and urgent care only due to the COVID 19 pandemic. This meant the vast majority of offices were essentially shut down. This was a crisis of unprecedented and unknown proportion. The Pandemic Recovery Working Group was formed by the Ontario Dental Association to use the best available evidence available to develop solutions and inform dentists how to return to practice with protocols that were safe, sustainable, and ensured access for everyone. The group consisted of volunteer dentists and ODA staff working together to find the right evidence, understand the implications, and relay accurate information to dentists, all in real time. This was a gargantuan task that demanded significant time and resources as well as the ability to adapt and pivot to address an ever changing environment. Throughout the pandemic the PRWG strived to help the ODA lead the profession with not only information, knowledge, and services, but also logistical assistance with the vaccination rollout and PPE distribution. The commitment to our profession from these dentist volunteers and ODA staff was greatly appreciated and cannot be overstated. In addition to leading their own teams through the pandemic, they went above and beyond to help lead the profession.