Alexandria, Va., USA - The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) announced Peter V. Cooney, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as the 2019 recipient of the IADR Honorary Membership award. Cooney was recognized at the Opening Ceremonies of the 97th General Session & Exhibition of the IADR, held in conjunction with the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) and the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR). The IADR/AADR/CADR General Session & Exhibition is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West Building in Vancouver, BC, Canada from June 19-22, 2019.
As the first Chief Dental Officer for Canada in 2004, Cooney led three initial national dental health surveys demonstrating critical oral health conditions among indigenous populations. He developed collaborative approaches to manage oral and associated diseases, research initiatives, student learning, community-based public health and professional education programs with outreach to underserved populations.
While serving as Chair of the International Chief Dental Officers Public Health Section for the World Dental Federation (FDI), Cooney was one of the FDI representatives attending the United Nations Environment Programme Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meetings leading up to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. Cooney was influential within the group of other dental related organizations (IADR/FDI/IDM/WHO - Oral Health Division) in advocating for an evidence-based approach to dealing with dental amalgam, balancing the environmental concerns with public health.
"IADR is pleased to present Peter V. Cooney with an honorary membership and to welcome him to the Association," said IADR President Rena D'Souza. "His impressive career and successful initiatives have made an enormous impact on health in Canada and worldwide."
The IADR Honorary Membership is decided by the three most recent living IADR past presidents who are no longer serving on the Board and given to a person who has made significant contributions to and/or supports dental research. IADR is proud to recognize Peter V. Cooney's commitment to improving the quality of global health.
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About the International Association for Dental Research
The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with over 11,400 individual members worldwide, dedicated to: (1) advancing research and increasing knowledge for the improvement of oral health worldwide, (2) supporting and representing the oral health research community, and (3) facilitating the communication and application of research findings. To learn more, visit http://www.iadr.org.