A. L. Burton Conrod
May 2012 Honorary Degree Recipient
Doctor of Laws (honoris causa)
Dr. Burton Conrod didn’t have to be a leader. With the demands of a dental practice, he might have been excused from taking on extra commitments. But, instead, he has chosen to share his gifts with his profession and, in doing so, has made a difference in his community, our country and our world. Ěý
We are proud that Burton and his wife, Connie, are both ±«Óătv dentistry graduates, as is their daughter, Susan.
But back to why we are here today -- Dr. Conrod was the first Canadian to be elected president of the FDI World Dental Federation. The Federation, which dates back to 1900, represents more than one million dentists. Its vision is expressed as “leading the world to optimal oral health.” In realizing this vision, the Federation works in collaboration with other groups, including the World Health Organization.
So, how did Dr. Conrod come to lead this international organization from 2007-2009? To answer this question we need to step back in time. In 1979, just a few years after he and Connie began their dentistry practice in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Dr. Conrod became president of the Cape Breton Island Dental Society. Ten years later, he was president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association.
He then brought his leadership experience to the Canadian Dental Association. In addition to chairing or serving on a number of committees, Dr. Conrod was a member of the association’s executive council. In 2000 he became president. That same year, he was appointed to the federal health minister’s advisory council on tobacco control.
In 2005 Dr. Conrod became president-elect of the FDI World Dental Federation. In a release issued by the Canadian Dental Association announcing the news, he said: “In Canada, we are fortunate to have achieved so much in the advancement of oral health and the recognition of its integral role in overall well-being. It’s an honour to be able to bring some of that knowledge to the world dental stage, while also having the opportunity to study new ideas from other countries.”
So now we know the path that brought Dr. Conrod to lead an international organization, but the question of “why?” remains. Why would he devote so much energy and time to his profession?
The answer can be found in an article from the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. When asked why he first became involved, Dr. Conrod acknowledged the mentorship and encouragement of other dentists, including his wife, Connie. He then said, “I soon realized that to effectively define and improve our profession, dentists must work through organizations. Our profession only exists because of a strong network of individuals eager to advance the ethics, science and practice of dentistry.”
And this practice has global implications, given the vital importance of oral health in all societies. As Dr. Conrod noted, “Many solutions to oral health problems are also solutions to major systemic problems. For example, oral disease and other diseases share common risk factors such as malnutrition, tobacco use and poor sanitation.”
Dr. Conrod’s leadership has not gone unnoticed. He is a fellow of the International College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the Academy of Dentistry International and the American College of Dentists. The American Dental Association also presented him with an honorary membership.
He has received an outstanding alumni award from our own Faculty of Dentistry, and the Dr. Philip S. Christie Award for Distinguished Service from the Nova Scotia Dental Association. He received the Elmer S. Best Memorial Award from the Pierre Fauchard Academy and a medal of honour from the Iranian Association of Prosthodontists.
Dr. Conrod inspired the Canadian Dental Association’s Medal of Honour, and was the inaugural recipient. The award is described as celebrating “outstanding service, leadership and humanitarianism at the local, provincial, national and international level.”
He has excelled on all of these fronts. In this, the centennial year of dental education here at ±«Óătv, I ask you, Mr. Chancellor, in the name of the Senate, to bestow upon Dr. Burton Conrod the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
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