CDA Essentials 2019 • Volume 6 • Issue 5

14 | 2019 | Issue 5 CDA at W ork Mr. Lyle Best is chair of the board at CDSPI and a veteran of more than 40 years in the employee and group benefits insurance industry. One of his many passions is ensuring that members of the profession are supported when dealing with challenges in their personal and professional lives. He was instrumental in expanding the Members’ Assistance Program to ensure it offers services needed to support dentists, staff and their families. As a business leader, community builder and philanthropist, Mr. Best demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Canadian dentistry. Thank you very much, this is an incredible honor. In 1989, I got sent into the basement of the Alberta Dental Association & College to start my career with organized dentistry. I’ve stayed with it since then and it’s been a tremendous adventure. This is an honour I’ll never forget.” Dr. Robert Sexton has provided a remarkable 51 years of service to the dental profession, both nationally and in his home province of Newfoundland. He has been the voice of experience, good governance and leadership at the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association (NLDA), where he chaired the NLDA Annual General Meeting for over 40 years. Nationally, he served as a member of the CDA Board of Directors or Executive Council for 18 years. Throughout his impressive career, his dedication and high standards of professionalism have left an indelible mark. Supporting the growth of CDA has always been top of mind for me since my graduation from Dalhousie 51 years ago. The world of dentistry is rapidly changing and it is my strong belief that the future will holdmany challenges that will require strong leadership. I firmly believe CDA with input from the provincial dental associations and Canadian dentists will provide this leadership. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks tomy wonderful wife, Vera, and the rest of my family for their untiring support over all the years I have been involved with organized dentistry.”  Distinguished Service Award The Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the dental profession, the dental community or the oral health of Canadians at large, in a given year or outstanding service over a number of years. It may also recognize outstanding contributions at the academic, corporate, specialty society, council, commission or committee level. Dr. Jack Cottrell has contributed to the profession at all levels of organized dentistry with dedication, enthusiasm and distinction. Under his leadership, many organizations, including the Ontario Dental Association and CDA, have benefited from his ability to work collaboratively to achieve strategic outcomes. At the FDI World Dental Federation, where Dr. Cottrell has served as treasurer since 2015 and will be running for the position of president- elect this year, his leadership is helping FDI work towards its global vision of optimal oral health. In addition, his work on medical-dental charitable missions in Central America and Haiti has helped people receive much- needed oral health care. To receive the Distinguished Service Award is extremely special tome. Those who knowme know that what I love to do is serve my profession. To be recognized for that is over the top. Never have I beenmore proud to be a CDAmember. I sincerely thank the CDA Board of Directors for honouring me this year with this award.” Dr. Alfred Dean has contributed to the dental profession throughout his career, including serving as past- president of the Cape Breton Island Dental Society, Nova Scotia Dental Association and CDA. Recognized for his compassionate approach to patient care, he has been serving his patients in Nova Scotia with dedication for 40 years and in recent years has acted as a mentor to students and new dentists. In all his endeavors, he has demonstrated leadership and deep caring for the profession and his patients. The people who nominatedme should know that I amhonored by themputtingmy name forward. I have worked withmany people in this room, but there are alsomany new faces, which tells me that the CDA and its corporate members continue to attract the best and the brightest in our profession.” Dr. Robert Sexton Mr. Lyle Best Dr. Alfred Dean Dr. Jack Cottrell