PFA honours Sir Nairn Wilson

Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent, President Emeritus of the College of General Dentistry (CGDent), and an Ambassador for the Dental Technologists Association (DTA) has received the Pierre Fauchard Academy's (PFA), prestigious Elmer S Best Memorial Award.

The PFA is an international dental honours organisation founded in 1936. Named in memory of the founder of the Academy, the Elmer S Best Memorial Award is awarded for distinguished contributions of international significance to dentistry, and is given to no more than one dentist from outside the United States in any one year.

In making the award, the PFA Board of Trustees congratulated Sir Nairn on his lifetime of service to dentistry, recognising the impact of his work across the globe. The award was presented in New Orleans at the Academy's 86th Annual Meeting and International Gala, which was held in conjunction with the American Dental Association's 2024 Annual Convention.

Sir Nairn is the first British recipient of the award in almost 30 years and only the sixth since it was established in 1962. The previous UK-based winners were Martin Rushton in 1967, Cyril Devere-Green in 1973, Gerald Leatherman in 1977, Hamish Thomson in 1991 and Dr John McLean OBE in 1996.

Dr Pankaj Patel OGW FCGDent, the Academy's International President, congratulated Sir Nairn on joining the illustrious list of recipients: "It is an honour for the Pierre Fauchard Academy to recognise Sir Nairn. His contributions to dental literature and his support of dental education and dentistry in general are well-known by legions of dentists around the world. We were pleased that Sir Nairn and Lady Wilson could join us at our international gala in New Orleans."

Thanking the Academy for the award, Sir Nairn said: "It is an exceptional honour to be recognised by one's peers nationally; it is humbling to be recognised and honoured by one's peers internationally, specifically for distinguished contributions of international significance to dentistry."

Indicating that he will treasure the prestigious honour, Sir Nairn expressed the hope that he would have the opportunity to strengthen his contribution to the activities and mission of the Academy, which are 'to recognise and develop outstanding leadership in dentistry internationally'.

Image caption (top) Sir Nairn receiving his Elmer S Best Award medal and plaque. (l-r): Robert Cattoi, PFA International Executive Director; Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent; Dr Pankaj Patel OGW FCGDent, PFA International President; Dr Ghabi Kaspo, PFA Vice-President