at Oxford,” he says. “You quickly recalibrate your expectations.” The standards were exacting, particularly in writing. “The scrutiny was meticulous—grammar, structure, argumentation,” he says. “Your work returns layered with critique.” The most enduring lesson, he says, was disciplined thinking expressed with precision. In April 2026, Dr. Preston became president of the Canadian Dental Association. He doesn’t frame leadership as a destination, but as work that needs doing. “I’ve never been drawn to the spotlight,” he says. “I’m far more comfortable doing the work. Give me a project, and I’ll see it through.” For someone who has survived an avalanche, had multiple careers and repeatedly returned to the classroom, that instinct—to stay curious and continue moving forward—has defined his life more than a title ever could. less than an hour,” he says. He’s flown to Newfoundland, PEI, Quebec City, Montreal and Toronto, landing at Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto Island. At home in Fredericton, however, he enjoys a different kind of journey. “I actually take the city bus to work,” he says, describing the daily conversations with his regular “bus buddies.” In a small city where most people drive, the choice feels right to him, a habit that keeps him grounded and connected to the community around him. A lawyer with a master’s in social work, Ruth owns her own law firm in Fredericton and oversees the operation of the Mary Brown’s restaurants. “Without her, I probably wouldn’t have accomplished half of what I’ve done,” Dr. Preston says. Russell, now in his early twenties, studies at Queen’s University and plans to pursue graduate work in molecular biology. “Imagine being able to engineer a protein that can cure a disease. These are the things that fascinate him,” Dr. Preston says. Dr. Preston’s father, now 90, also lives in Fredericton. He visits his father daily when he is in town, often bringing dinner prepared by Ruth. Dr. Preston’s five younger siblings have built accomplished lives of their own—an artist, a nurse, an international development professional, a retired sibling living outside London, England, and a younger brother who is a senior engineering executive. In 2023, Dr. Preston found time to complete an MBA at Oxford University, stepping away from his clinics for nearly a year. What struck him most was the academic culture. “A grade in the mid-70s represented excellence President Profile Dr. Preston and his son, Russell, at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Dr. Preston, Ruth and the dental team at a holiday party. 11 Issue 3 | 2026 |
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE5MTI=