Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Thirteen Jamaican dentists have been recommended for the prestigious Fellowship of the International College of Dentists (FICD) in recognition of their contribution to dentistry in Jamaica, the Caribbean and the world.

The recommendations will go through a rigorous process of screening before the International College of Dentists makes a determination as to whether or not the persons recommended will be conferred with the prestigious FICD status.

"In my capacity as the international councilman for the ICD in the English-speaking Caribbean, Ber-muda, Guyana and Belize, I have decided, after consultation with Dr. Robert Brady, the registrar of the ICD and Dr. Denis Jones, the president of the Dental Association of Jamaica, that these individuals should be so honoured," said ICD Councilman Dr. Christopher Ogunsalu, consultant and lecturer at the UWI School of Dentistry, in Trinidad and Tobago.

The 13 individuals, two of whom are now deceased, are: the late Sister (Dr.) Rosalie Warphea, the husband and wife duo of Dr. Denis and Dr. McAlphine Stevens, Dr. Errol Williams, Dr. Hal Shaw, the late Dr. Chen See, Dr. P. Broderick, Dr. Phillip Mighty, Dr. Irvin McKenzie, Dr. L. Knight, Dr. Jimmy Montite, Dr. Susan Beckford and Dr. Theon Jones.

Most prestigious accolade

"The fellowship of the ICD is the highest and most prestigious accolade that deserving dentists await to be invited to and accept as a recognition of their contribution," said Dr. Ogunsalu. "Unfortunately, one cannot request such an honour and has to be recommended by another fellow of the ICD or a councilman in the respective regions."

In highlighting the factors that would lead to a recommendation, Dr. Ogunsalu spoke of the case of the late Sister (Dr.) Rosalie Warphea, who served as principal dental surgeon of the Ministry of Health and director at the Dental School of Jamaica.

"She was the brain behind the salt fluoridation in Jamaica and other islands," said Dr. Ogunsalu. "As we all know this salt fluoridation has considerably reduced the incidence of dental cavities in the Caribbean. It has had a global impact and has saved government and individuals millions of dollars which would otherwise be spent treating and rehabilitating the mouth with caries experience."

The recommendations will be examined at the next ICD council meeting, which will take place in Mexico in early November.