CONTINUEDP.17 CDA AwardWinners Dr. William Hettenhausen Dr. William Hettenhausen has spent his entire professional career reaching out to those in need, from older to younger Canadians alike. For over 50 years, he has been a passionate advocate for oral health and prevention. After founding the Your Teeth for Lifetime Foundation in 1978, he continued to serve as its Executive Director for many years. Focusing on children, Dr. Hettenhausen organized and coordinated countless Oral Health Month “Happy Teeth, Happy Smiles” events and promoted oral health by setting up information booths at malls and other locations throughout Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was also actively involved with the Head and Neck Clinical Oncology Teams at the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre and helped patients minimize the oral side effects of cancer treatment. In 2000, he received theWeiler Award for furthering social development and social justice through partnerships among individuals and organizations, and in 2001 he received the ODA’s Barnabus Day Distinguished Service Award. Distinguished Service Award This award is given to recognize 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. For over 50 years, Dr. Tom Breneman has been actively involved in the Canadian dental profession. Shortly after graduating, he became president of the Western Manitoba Dental Society. He went on to serve as president of the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) in 1991 and president of CDA in 2002. He is a past chair of the MDA Peer Review Committee and past section chair and trustee of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Breneman’s community involvement does not stop there. He received the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Business Builder of the Year Award, the MDA President’s Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctor of Science from Brandon University, and the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry Alumni of Distinction Award. His lifetime achievements are a shining example of what it means to be a community leader, giving back to his profession and to his community. Dr. Tom Breneman Award of Merit This award recognizes an individual who has served in an outstanding capacity in the governing or service of CDA over a sustained period of time, or who has made similar outstanding contributions to the dental profession, the dental community or the oral health of Canadians and society at large. I would like to thank the CDA nominations committee for honoring me with the Distinguished Service Award. […] I’d also like to remember my late father Dr. Carl Hettenhausen, and today, like him, I’m wearing an ODA ‘50 years of services’ pin. He was my inspiration by always putting his patient’s best interest first. […] Somehow, this Distinguished Service Award and recognition from my peers and colleagues brightens my spirit and makes me even more thankful to have had the opportunity to make a difference in the oral health of children and their families across the North. Thank you for this honour, and may I always strive to be worthy of the award. Treating without preventing is like chasing without ever catching, and happiness and health are very closely related. When you help your patients increase their health, you are bound to increase their happiness. And happiness is a wondrous commodity. Happy smiles. Keep smiling. I feel fortunate that I was able to practise dentistry for 53 years always enjoying going to the office and interacting with my staff and patients. In fact, I have often stated that I never worked a day in my life. Certainly, over the years I witnessed many changes in the profession, but the one constant is the people. I felt early on that it was important to be involved and give back to my community and profession. […] Over the years, Janie and I have met many wonderful people, many of whomare still friends today. After retirement, I have stayed involved in the dental profession by helping dentists transition into retirement. 15 Issue 4 | 2023 |
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