John D.B. Featherstone, professor and dean of the UCSF School of Dentistry, was named an honorary member of the American Dental Association (ADA) at the organization’s annual meeting in Washington, DC, on Nov. 9. The ADA Board of Trustees nominated Dean Featherstone for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of the art and science of dentistry.
The ADA noted that more than 280 manuscripts and book chapters have resulted from Dean Featherstone’s research over the past 40 years. He is recognized globally as the foremost expert in caries management by risk assessment, known as CAMBRA, a protocol that prevents dental decay when followed correctly, potentially eliminating the need for invasive dental work. Dean Featherstone earned a master’s degree in physical chemistry from the University of Manchester in England and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Wellington in New Zealand.
“I’ve been awarded various prizes around the world, and this one is my greatest honor,” said Dean Featherstone at the ADA awards ceremony. “It’s a wonderful honor. I thank you incredibly, and I hope you will continue to join me in supporting work in preventive dentistry for the health and well-being not just of the people in the US, but for people across the world.”
The ADA shared two notes of congratulation from Dean Featherstone’s peers in announcing the honorary membership. “I am one of countless people who consider him to be a mentor and who have tremendous respect for his deep knowledge of dentistry, dental education, dental research and his passion and drive to advance the practice of evidence-based dentistry,” said Dr. Jane Weintraub, dean of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Dentistry.
“Dean Featherstone is a most worthy candidate for this distinction,” said Dr. Charles Bertolami, Herman Robert Fox Dean at New York University’s College of Dentistry and former dean of the UCSF School of Dentistry. “On a personal note, let me add that I have known and respected Dean Featherstone for many years as a colleague and friend, whose contributions to the profession I hold in the highest regard.”
Linda Hastings, ADA senior director, administrative services; Dr. Mahesh Verma, immediate past president of the Indian Dental Association; and Randi Andresen, who in 2014 retired as the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon’s associate executive director for Advanced Education and Professional Affairs, also received honorary ADA memberships this year.
Watch Dean Featherstone Accept the Honorary Membership:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrf2dKoPc48guCEPzbuGQYg
From the ADA: