Dr. Hubert Ouvrard

Dear Officers, Trustees, and Fellows, This is my fourth message as President, and I would like tell you about my travels during the past year for the Pierre Fauchard Academy, including events I attended as President-Elect and as the new PFA President starting in October 2010.

In May 2010 I attended the annual Spanish Section meeting organized by Chairman Leopoldo Forner in Tarragona, Spain. Tarragona is a beautiful town on the Mediterranean seaside that once was an important Roman-era harbor. We visited the Roman ruins in this town, which are very well preserved.

The meeting included a scientific session with lectures on the future use of dental pulp stem cells and their future applications in dentistry. These very interesting lectures were at the leading edge of scientific research today.

The second part of the meeting was an Induction Ceremony of seven new Fellows, which was held in the prestigious Government Hall of the Provincia de Tarragona. For the ceremony all of the professors here wear a toga, and it was a brilliant induction ceremony. In the evening we had a dinner party with classical music performed by a very fine string quartet. The next day we concluded the meeting with a very friendly lunch with typical Catalan food and enjoyed the traditional Spanish hospitality.

After my installation as President during the Orlando Annual Board Meeting, I went to Tokyo in November 2010 for the 41st Annual Meeting of the PFA Japanese Section. Hospitality is also a tradition in Japan, and Dr. Kiyoshi Ohura, Region Asia Trustee, and Dr. Keishi Matsumoto, Japan Section Chairman, both welcomed me with great warmth and attention to detail.

This 1-day meeting in Japan began with a ceremony at which awards were given to Fellows participating in a Mentorship Program and eight new Fellows were inducted. In the evening, after a group photo was taken, we had a delicious buffet dinner of Asian food with splendid and lively entertainment.

After a 2-day rest in Paris, I flew to Buenos Aires to join my good friend, Vice President Ernesto Acuña, and to participate in the Argentina Section Meeting led by Dr. Roberto Rossi. Dr. Rossi is a very fine man and quickly became a great friend. (See the January-February and March-April 2011 issues of Dental World for more detailed reports and photographs from the trips to Japan and Argentina.)

At the beginning of February 2011 I went to Atlanta, Georgia at the invitation of Region 3 Trustee Karyn Stockwell. I spent two marvelous days attending the 9th Annual Georgia Section Meeting organized by Dr. Robin Reich, the Georgia Section Chair. (More details about my Atlanta trip are available in my President's Message in the March-April 2011 issue of Dental World and later in this issue in the Georgia Section News.)

The meeting featured a report on an important program of dental care for schoolaged children sponsored by The Georgia Section. This program is staffed and operated by volunteers, all of whom are PFA Fellows.

More recently I went to the Second PFA European Meeting in Cologne, Germany. This meeting, which took place on March 25 during the International Dental Show, was organized by Dr. Frank Braun, PFA Germany Section Chairman. We had a very interesting lecture by Dr. Karl-Heinz Kimmel on "Professional Ethics" and a general discussion on this important theme. In the evening we had a ceremony at which 5 new Fellows were inducted by Dr. Braun, Dr. José Dahan, PFA Region 7 Europe Trustee, and myself.

In these visits to five PFA Sections, I was happy to see what the Trustees and Chairmen have made happen in their countries. Everyone works in his or her own unique way, with the help of other Fellows in the Academy, for the betterment of dental health for the people of their country. They are an example for all and are the pride of the PFA.

Let us all remember that the Pierre Fauchard Academy is not only an honor society but also an organization of action that helps people in all countries of the world.

Before I conclude, I must mention that our Japanese Fellows have been very much in my thoughts after the terrifying tsunami and earthquake they had in their country. As of this writing, more than 10,000 people have died and more than 17,000 people are missing! It is the worst disaster they have had since the Second World War. On top of that, the Japanese people are still courageous and full of dignity. What a lesson for those of us who complain about the little inconveniences of our own day-to-day life ! I would like Kiyoshi Ohura, Region 9 Asia Trustee, and Keishi Matsumoto, Japan Section Chairman, to know that all the PFA Fellows send their best wishes for a quick rebirth of their towns and restoration of their beautiful country, along with our warmest condolences for those who have lost a relative or a friend there.

Dr. Hubert Ouvrard
President of the Pierre Fauchard Academy