GETTING TO BETTER KNOW THE MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY
DR. PETER PRONYCH Two-term Past President, CAPD/ACDP Why did you choose to specialize in pediatric dentistry? During the last two years of summer breaks in high school I worked at Camp Easter Seal in Saskatchewan. Here I was responsible for looking after children and adults with a broad range of handicaps and illnesses. In my final year at Dental School when considering which specialty to take, Pediatric Dentistry seemed like the logical choice as I felt that I had an ability to relate with children. As it turned out in my opinion, I did have that ability to relate with children of all ages. Where did you do your training? After DDS graduation from the Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University I was accepted into the Pediatric Dental Program at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Here I completed the didactic portion of the Master’s degree and a residency in Pediatric Dentistry at the Columbus Children’s Hospital before returning to Nova Scotia where I went into solo private practice, joined the Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University and the IWK Hospital. What do you consider to be your career achievements in Pediatric Dentistry? • International Oral Health Consultant, World Health Organization – served in the Middle East and Malaysia • Program Director & Coordinator, Canada–Egypt Children's Dental Program • Coordinator, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Dentistry Outreach Service Based Learning Oral Health Programs in Nova Scotia • Full time Faculty, Dalhousie University, five term Head of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University • Practitioner, Part Time Private Pediatric Dentistry Practice • Active Medical/Dental Staff IWK Children's Hospital and Grace Maternity Hospital • Coordinator & Chair, Educational Program, American Academy of History of Dentistry • Authored and co-authored nine books about the Life and Times of “Painless Parker, Dentist” • Two-term President of CAPD/ACDP (1989 -1992), served in all offices including editor of the Newsletter
Established the position of Executive Director on the CAPD/ACDP Executive Committee.
Successfully negotiated formal associations with the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the Canadian Pediatrics Society.
