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Volume 3 Issue 6
O
bituaries
REMEMBERING
DENTISTRY LEADERS
Dr. George Sweetnam of Lindsay, Ontario, passed away on
July 12, 2016. He was 74 years old.
Dr. Sweetnam obtained a degree in microbiology from the
University of Guelph before graduating from the University
of Toronto’s dental school in 1971. He maintained a private
practice in Lindsay for 43 years.
Dr. Sweetnam never dreamed of becoming a leading
figure of the dental profession. Yet a simple request from
his local dental society to become involved started a
domino effect that would bring him to the highest levels
of organized dentistry. “Around the same time that the
Peterborough and District Dental Society approached me,
I wrote a letter to the communications committee of the
Ontario Dental Association
(ODA) with my thoughts
on how they should be
fighting capitation,” he
once told CDA. “The
next thing I knew, I
was on both the dental
society’s executive and
ODA’s communications
committee!” Dr. Sweetnam
had found his calling.
Passionate about
advancing the profession,
Dr. Sweetnam would
assume many pivotal roles
at the local, provincial and
national levels. After being
actively involved with the
ODA for many years, he
became the association’s
president in 1993. He also
sat on CDA’s board of
governors and executive council, as well as on numerous
committees, task forces and councils. When he became
CDA president in 2001, Dr. Sweetnam focused on the needs
and desires of Canadian dentists, while also ensuring that all
stakeholders worked toward the same goals. “He was a true
consensus builder,” says Dr. Tom Breneman, CDA president in
2002–03. “I remember a particular meeting when the Board
of Directors was having a hard time coming to grasp with an
issue. During a coffee break, George went around and talked
to every one of us individually to try to achieve consensus
outside the meeting, for us to move the issue along. And
he managed to do just that. That’s the kind of leader he
was: he heard everybody’s concerns, and then worked
toward blending them so we could come to a solution that
benefited everybody.”
His dedication to the profession was recognized by many
organizations. Dr. Sweetnam was a fellow of the International
College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and
he received the ODA Barnabus Day Distinguished Service
Award in 2007.
Dr. Sweetnam’s mantra of giving back to his community
also held true in his personal life. An aviation enthusiast,
he chaired the board for the Lindsay Airport. He served as
president of the Lindsay Lighting Bolts Swim Club and
senior official with Swim Ontario, swimming being a
passion shared among members of his family. In his spare
time, Dr. Sweetnam played the trombone in a big band.
“George truly loved music,” says Dr. Breneman. His band—
including Dr. Sweetnam himself—even made a special
appearance at his CDA president’s installation dinner. “But
above it all, his number one priority always remained his
family. His wife and children were always top of mind,” adds
Dr. Breneman.
Dr. Sweetnam is survived by his wife of 49 years Marian and
their three children, Steven, Nancy and Peter.
a
DR. GEORGE SWEETNAM
Dr. George Sweetnam and his
big band were noteworthy
entertainment at his CDA
president’s installation dinner
in 2001.