Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 6

Remembering Dentistry Leaders Dr.MarkBuettner Dr. Mark Anthony Buettner of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away on August 30, 2021. He was 79 years old. D r. Buettner was raised in St. James, Saskatchewan, with his eight brothers. In 1966, he moved to Winnipeg to study dentistry at the University of Manitoba (U of M), where he graduated from the faculty of dentistry in 1970. Upon graduation, Dr. Buettner received several awards as well as the Gold Key from the Xi Psi Phi dental fraternity. After he obtained his DMD, Dr. Buettner established a practice in Ocean Falls, a small town in northern British Columbia. Dr. Buettner and his wife moved back to Manitoba in 1972, where he established a private practice in Winnipeg, serving this community for over 50 years. “Mark had an incredible chairside manner,” remembers Dr. Marc Mollot, a friend and colleague. “His patients recall how comfortable he made them feel during the most challenging procedures. Mark was a pleasure to work alongside and was cherished by the whole dental team.” Dr. Buettner was a part-time clinical instructor at the U of M’s dental faculty for over 40 years. He was also an examiner for the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) of Canada from 1995 to 2000. “Mark was an excellent dentist and was dedicated to the profession. These qualities were evident in his capacity as anNDEB examiner. He was always a team player and was highly respected by everyone he worked with. He was a humble and kind man. He will be remembered for his great sense of humour and dry wit,” said his NDEB colleagues in a written tribute. “If you were having a bad day, Mark would have you feeling better almost right away. Mark had a positive influence on many people, including the students he taught at the dental school, his colleagues at the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA), his patients, as well as his colleagues and friends at the NDEB.” Dr. Buettner was an active MDA member, including serving as president in 1994-95. He was a lifetime member of theWinnipeg Dental Society and an affiliate member of the American Dental Association. He was a fellow of the International College of Dentists (ICD) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Gord Janke, Assessment of Clinical Skills (ACS) chief examiner at the NDEB, saw Dr. Buettner at his induction into the ICD in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in 2015. “I hadn’t seen Mark for a number of years prior to that, but it took no more than a few minutes for me to feel like we had just been together the previous week. That was exactly the kind of guy that he was, a great dentist yes, but a better friend. He will be missed,” says Dr. Janke. In his free time, Dr. Buettner was an avid photographer, a passion that he shared with his children. He also loved to golf, canoe, fish and he enjoyed skiing with his family. Ross McIntyre, MDA executive director from 1968-2011, enjoyed spending time with Dr. Buettner outside of organized dentistry events. “Mark was a good friend. He and I played golf, were members of the same squash club and laughed a lot together.” Dr. Buettner is survived by his wife, Joy, his four children Cindy, Kerry, Dan and Brian, seven grandchildren, and many other family members. 46 | 2021 | Issue 6 Obituaries