Canada does not produce many dental devices, and imports them from other countries. “A harmonious approval process for the import of those products is essential for Canadian dentistry,” says Dr. Soucy. “ISO/TC 106 standards allow us to avoid barriers that could limit trade for Canada.” Recently, the scope of ISO/ TC 106 grew to include the definition of standards that have clinicals relevance. Dr. Soucy believes that the relationship between ISO/TC 106 and CDA is unique. “Canada does not have a national program for the development of standards for dentistry and, as a result, must rely on ISO/TC 106 to provide the standards that we need,” says Dr. Soucy. “Not to put too fine a point on it, but CDA’s involvement in ISO/TC 106 ensures that the standards that Canadian dentistry needs exist and are appropriate for us.” What Dr. Soucy brings to his new position “Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones, my Canadian predecessors, as well as Prof. Gottfried Schmalz, who was chair until the end of 2024, were dental material specialists with incredible international profiles,” says Dr. Soucy. Dr. Smith was a UK-born chemist and pioneer in biomaterials hired by the University of Toronto in 1969 to head an international research program in biomaterials. His research achievements include the invention of polycarboxylate cements to chemically bond materials to tooth structure and the development of acrylic cements for the fixation of hip prostheses. Dr. Jones, who was born and educated in the UK before moving to Nova Scotia to teach, was the catalyst for the transfer of ISO/TC 106’s international secretariat from the UK to Canada in 2004. Prof. Schmalz is a professor at the University of Regensburg, whose main interests are biocompatibility and tissue regeneration. He has published over 280 articles and won several international awards. “As someone who started as a clinician, I come from a completely different background,” Dr. Soucy says. He earned his DMD from the Université de Montréal, a certificate in prosthodontics and then a Master of Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. From 1980 to 1996, Dr. Soucy was a full-time faculty member at the dental school at l’Universite Laval, teaching fixed prosthodontics and dental materials. During that time, he also practised as a specialist in prosthodontics in Quebec City. Dr. Soucy joined CDA in 1997. “That move provided an opportunity to get involved in ISO/TC 106 dentistry shortly after, and to work within a small but hardworking Canadian delegation to ensure that the standards developed by ISO/TC 106 met the needs of Canadian dentistry,” he says. “As chair of ISO/TC 106, my focus will be to drive the engagement of all stakeholders to promote the broad use of standards produced by ISO/TC 106 in support of quality dental care that is affordable and sustainable.” Dr. Soucy believes that the standards written by the committee will only be used if they are aligned with the needs CDA’s involvement in ISO/TC 106 ensures that the standards that Canadian dentistry needs exist and are appropriate for us. (L. to r.) Katie Lee, CDA manager and professional services administrator at CDA and manager ISO/TC 106 with Prof. Schmalz. What is ISO? The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non‑governmental international organization. It brings global experts together to agree on the best ways of doing things. What is a standard? Think of a standard as a document that describes an agreed upon way of doing something. It could be about making a product, managing a process, delivering a service or supplying materials—standards cover a huge range of activities. What do standards do? Standards define what great looks like, setting consistent benchmarks for businesses and consumers alike — ensuring reliability, building trust, and simplifying choices. Making lives easier, safer and better. What can standards do for you? International standards ensure that the products and services you use daily are safe, reliable, and of high quality.They also guide businesses in adopting sustainable and ethical practices, helping to create a future where your purchases not only perform excellently but also safeguard our planet. In essence, standards seamlessly blend quality with conscience, enhancing your everyday experiences and choices. 16 | 2025 | Issue 2 News and Events
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE5MTI=