President Winspear, Dean Johann de Vries, Professor Wayne Sampson receiving Dr. Begg school plaque
President Winspear presenting family plaque to Diana Coates and Lt. Gen. John Coates
International Trustee Jonathan Rogers and Australasian Section Chair Mark Sinclair giving remarks at the dinner
President Winspear, Trustee Jonathan Rogers, Chair Mark Sinclair with event dignitaries
It may have been the first day of winter Down Under, but for the large group of people who attended the ceremony to induct Dr. P. Raymond Begg into the Pierre Fauchard International Hall of Fame, there was a warm feeling of pride in the exceptional achievements of their famous Adelaide orthodontist. The Induction formally recognized Dr. Begg's life and profound contributions to dentistry over a professional career spanning nearly 60 years of innovation that revolutionized the practice of orthodontics worldwide. Although his birth was in a tent on the Coolgardie gold fields in 1898, Percy Raymond Begg studied dentistry in Melbourne and gained his orthodontic training at the renowned Edward H. Angle College of Orthodontics in Pasadena, California, in 1924-25. He then returned to Adelaide, where he taught orthodontics until his retirement from the University of Adelaide Dental School in 1964. However, he did not retire from private orthodontic practice until 1980, and had been in huge demand on the international scene to teach his philosophy and treatment technique. The revolutionary nature of Dr. Begg's approach to orthodontic practice had an enormous transforming effect that continues to impact contemporary orthodontic systems today. With the indefatigable support of local colleagues, such as Milton Simms and Geoffrey Brown, the Begg Appliance and unique treatment approach placed Adelaide firmly on the world stage.
The Hall of Fame Induction is highly significant in that Dr. Begg is the first Australian of only 17 historically famous dentists to be so honored by the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Begg had also been internationally recognized with the Wall of Fame Induction in Paris, France, at the worldwide site of the international venue for the Hall of Fame.
Pierre Fauchard (1678-1761) is recognized as the Father of Modern Dentistry who raised the art and practice of dental procedures to a dignified profession within the medical and health sciences. It is within his museum in the national headquarters of the Conseil National de l' Ordre des Chirurgien Dentistes that the International Hall of Fame was established.
Plaques commemorating the induction were presented by the International PFA President, Dr. William Winspear, to Dr. Begg's daughter Mrs. Diana Coates and Lt. General John Coates, as well as to Professor Johann de Vries, Dean of the School of Dentistry, and to ProfessorWayne Sampson, inaugural P.R. Begg Chair of Orthodontics. Other guests included the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Adelaide Michael Harbison and the Lady Mayoress Kate Harbison; MalcolmBegg, Sr. and Malcolm Begg, Jr.; Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Dental Service Dr. Martin Dooland; Mrs. Helen Sims; and Oceania representative for theWorld Federation of Orthodontists Dr. IanWatson. The Pierre Fauchard Academy was represented by International Trustee Jonathan Rogers, Australasia Section President Mark Sinclair, and South Australian Trustee Rick Sawers.
A memorable evening with many highlights was had by all, including a superb presentation by Dr. John Jenner, who spoke with the knowledge and affection of having worked with Dr. Begg in the latter years of his practicing life. Although Dr. Begg died in January 1983, his influence on dentistry has been so profound that he has continued to receive honors of great significance, such as inclusion as the only dentist among the 200 most influential Australians during the Australian Bi-centennial celebrations in 1988 and the Powerhouse Museum's listing in 2001 of the 100 Australian landmark innovations for the 20th Century.
Australian Dental Leader Passes Away
On September 24, Brigadier A. Gordon Rowell, past PFA International Trustee, and Elmer Best Award recipient, passed away after a protracted illness. International President William Winspear of Australia had just honored Dr. Rowell with the PFA President's Award at the annual PFA International Awards Banquet held during the Annual Meeting of the American Dental Association.