Adrian Frater, News Editor

Drs Ferguson and Duncan get prestigious fellowship

Western Bureau:

Parliamentarians Dr Fenton Ferguson and Dr D.K. Duncan, who are both dentists by profession, will be presented with the world's most prestigious dental fellowship, the Fellowship of the International College of Dentists (FICD), at this weekend's International Council of the International College of Dentists conference in California, United States.

The Jamaican duo, who are among a number of nominees from all over the world, were nominated by Dr John Hintermann, secretary general of the International College of Dentists and president of the Jamaica Association of Public Dental Surgeons; and Associate Professor Winston Grey of the University of Technology Dental School.

"The nominations have been accepted and approved by the FICD for Dr Fenton Ferguson and Dr D.K. Duncan to be so honoured," said Jamaica-based Nigerian dentist Dr Christopher Ogunsalu, a vice-president of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a councilman in the International College of Dentists.

"This is quite an accomplishment for Dr Ferguson and Dr Duncan, as well as for Jamaica," added Ogunsalu, who will also be attending the event, which will be staged at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square in California. "This is recognition at the very highest level … . It is a big plus for the dental profession in Jamaica."

HONOURING SERVICE

The dental fellowship, which is the dental industry's equivalent of the Grammy Awards handed out to outstanding personnel in music industry, is conferred by the International College of Dentists to dentists who have contributed significantly to the field in their region and the world at large.

According to Ogunsalu, four other Jamaican dentists have been nominated for the prestigious award, but unlike Ferguson and Duncan, the status of their nominations will not be known until this weekend's conference, which will span Saturday and Sunday.

"Professor Irvin McKenzie, Dr Denis Stephens and wife, and Dr Anthony Lewis have been nominated similarly for their individual and collective contribution to dentistry in Jamaica and in the Caribbean," said Ogunsalu. "The status of their nomination will be known this weekend."

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com