Remembering Dentistry Leaders Dr. Derek Jones Dr. DerekWilliam Jones of Halifax, Nova Scotia, passed away on February 15, 2024, at age 90. Born in 1933 and raised in the English midlands, Dr. Derek Jones obtained both his BSc and PhD from the University of Birmingham, the latter in 1970. After graduating, he taught at his alma mater until 1974, when the opportunity arose to move to Nova Scotia and start his own research department at Dalhousie University’s faculty of dentistry. At Dalhousie, Dr. Jones taught dental materials classes for many years and also served as head of the biomaterials science division, chair of the department of applied oral sciences and associate dean of research. On top of his academic roles, Dr. Jones played a major part in creating standards for dental materials at the international level. He was the author or co-author of over 300 research publications, and he made contributions to 8 biomaterials textbooks. His research resulted in the creation of 2 patents, and he also served in an advisory capacity on government committees on materials for 3 Canadian Prime Ministers. Starting in 1971, Dr. Jones turned his attention to dental materials standardization, both in Canada and internationally. He served as secretary of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 106—Dentistry (“ISO/TC 106”) for close to 20 years, serving as chair of that committee for 8 years and reaching the highest role of international chair of theentire ISO/TC106committee for 9 years. “Dr. Jones was one of the pioneers of dental standardization,” says Dr. Benoit Soucy, CDA’s chief knowledge officer. “He was the catalyst for the transfer of ISO/TC 106’s international secretariat from the UK to Canada in 2004,” he explains. “Through his involvement with ISO/TC 106, Dr. Jones used his knowledge to improve performance, safety, and specification requirements of dental products and clinically relevant laboratory test methods, all of which contribute to improved global health,” says Dr. Kathy Russell, professor and head of orthodontics at Dalhousie. “His influence on the dental profession, practising clinicians and evidencebased dentistry will be long-lasting.” Dr. Jones was one of the world’s leading experts in his field and he received many accolades and awards for his contributions to dental materials. He was particularly proud of the 1988 Wilmer Souder Award he received from the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), as well as a 1992 honorary degree from the University of Umeå in Sweden. CDA bestowed honours on Dr. Jones two times; first with the CDA Award of Merit in 1991 and then with its Distinguished Service Award in 1996. Dr. Jones served on CDA’s experts advisory panel from 2001-09 and as chair of CDA’s dental materials and device committee from 1995-98. At the global level, Dr. Jones received the IADR’s Distinguished Service Award in 2016 and that same year, the FDI World Dental Federation elected him as a Member of the List of Honour, the FDI’s highest award. Dr. Jones was predeceased by his beloved wife, Joy, and is survived by his children, Lindsay, Rachel, Marcus (Susan) and Heather (Marshall) and his two grandchildren, Christopher and Stephen. 45 Issue 3 | 2024 | Obituaries
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE5MTI=