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Volume 2 Issue 2
O
bituaries
Dr. David Precious, a world leader in oral and maxillofacial
surgery, passed away on February 3, 2015, at the age of 70.
A pillar of the dental community at Dalhousie University,
Dr. Precious was a well-liked and respected professor. He
taught for over 35 years, served as chair of the department of
oral and maxillofacial sciences for close to 20 years, and was
appointed dean of the faculty of dentistry in 2003. He was
named dean emeritus in 2008. Over the course of his career,
he published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and
abstracts, and wrote 8 manuals and 15 book chapters in oral
and maxillofacial surgery.
A humanitarian at heart, Dr. Precious truly believed in the
importance of helping those in need. He took part in his
first overseas outreach mission in 1995. That began a 20-year
adventure that would take him to Vietnam, Tunisia, India and
Brazil to offer free cleft lip and palate surgery to children. He
would also teach and train local surgeons, to enable them
to perform the procedures themselves. “Why do I do it?
It’s simple, really: it’s so rewarding, it almost feels selfish,”
Dr. Precious once said in reference to his volunteering work.
He was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2007
in recognition of his outstanding commitment to treating
those with dental and facial deformities in Canada and abroad.
REMEMBERING
DENTISTRY LEADERS
DR. DAVID PRECIOUS
Dr. Precious was a wonderful ambassador for our
profession and will be truly missed.
—
Dr. Gary MacDonald, CDA President
Dr. David Precious (centre) and his colleagues evaluate a
young patient requiring cleft palate surgery.
Dr. Precious also put time aside to give back to the profession.
He served as president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association,
president of the Canadian Association of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons, registrar and chief examiner in oral
and maxillofacial surgery for the Royal College of Dentists
of Canada, regent of the Board of the American College of
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, chair of CDA’s council on
education, chair of the Board of Trustees of the International
Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation—of which he was also
a founding member—as well as being involved with the
Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
“Dr. Precious was a remarkable individual who has made a
tremendous difference to so many lives around the world
through his humanitarian outreach. He will be fondly
remembered by all who knew him and those fortunate
enough to learn from this outstanding surgeon, scholar and
dean,” said CDA President Dr. Gary MacDonald in tribute to
his colleague. “Dr. Precious was a wonderful ambassador for
our profession and will be truly missed.”
Dr. Precious’ brilliant career won him numerous honours.
On the Canadian scene, he received CDA’s Medal of Honour
in 2010 (one of only 3 recipients ever of CDA’s pinnacle
award), honorary degrees from Laval University and Dalhousie
University, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee
Medal. His achievements were also recognized internationally:
he received two awards from the American College of Oral
and Maxillofacial Surgeons—the Harry Archer Award and the
Humanitarian Award—and the William Harrigan Award from
the William F. Harrigan Society.
Dr. Precious is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth, and
their two children, Susan and Bruce.
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