The ICD Canada Convocation and Regents Meeting was held at the Delta Hotel and Convention Center in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on August 29th and 30th. This event was held in conjunction with the Canadian Dental Association Annual Meeting and the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association. The organizations complemented each other, especially in the social events, with the CDA Gala being held on Friday evening and the ICD Gala and entertainment being held on Saturday evening.
The New Fellow orientation was held on Friday afternoon with presentations by Global President Dr. Ian Doyle and Dr. Maureen Lefebvre, newly elected Section II International Councilor and outgoing Section II President. The organizational instructions were given by the Registrar, Dr. Gordon Thompson, who was mainly responsible for organizing the event. He finishes his term as Councilor this year at the Council Meeting in Milan in October.
On Saturday morning, Dr. Ian Doyle, Dr. Joseph Keneally, Secretary General, ICD and Dr. Julio Rodriguez, President Elect, Global ICD addressed the officers and regents at the Section business meeting. Also attending the convocation was Dr. Ira Titunik, Global Councillor from Florida and Immediate Past President of the USA Section.
For the convocation, 34 dentists became Fellows, one of whom is from Florida, and she became a Fellow of the Section I, ICD United States. An honorary ICD Fellowship was awarded to the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Dental Association, Steve Jennex, for his support of the dental profession during his career. A Presidential Citation was awarded posthumously to Past ICD Canada President Dr. Patti Grassick for her dedication to ICD Section II over her long career in Saskatchewan.
The initial convocation address was given by Dr. Doyle, who is the first Atlantic Canada dentist to be Global President of the International College of Dentists in their 105-year history. The second part of the convocation address was given by Dr. Joe Kenneally, who is from Maine and retires this year after many years of service to ICD. He gave a heartfelt presentation on why he believes in the College. Finally, Dr. Rodriguez from Wisconsin, who is the Global President-elect of ICD, discussed his hopes and dreams for ICD, what is happening in ICD and the positive implications of increasing our footprint in South America and Africa.
The ICD gala dinner was attended by over 150 people and was capably chaired by Dr. Lefebvre. Dr. Doyle brought greetings from ICD Global. Dr. Lefebvre of Saskatchewan handed over the chain of office as President to incoming Section II President, Dr. Lisa Bentley of Ontario. After a lesson in Newfoundland “speak” by a very entertaining comedian, guests experienced the traditional screech-in with the kissing of the cod and all became honorary Newfoundlanders. The evening culminated with a foot-stomping concert by Alan Doyle, a Newfoundland icon in traditional roots entertainment. The next ICD Canada Convocation and Meeting will be held in Winnipeg in April 2026.
