By Samantha Ashenhurst
NSDA Communications Manager

The Northumberland Coast served as a beautiful backdrop for the Nova Scotia Dental Association’s 134^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and its schedule of events.

Indeed, more than 100 dentists from across the province gathered at Fox Harb’r Resort to partake in the weekend’s activities, including continuing education sessions, the Annual Business Meeting, a Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) panel discussion, the Chain of Office and Awards Ceremony, and the President’s Gala. The AGM, which took place over three days, was a time of celebration, education, and reflection of the year gone by.

Thursday, June 13

With a tee time of 1 p.m., the annual Nova Scotia Dental Technician’s Association (NSDTA) golf tournament offered participants an afternoon of sunshine and friendly competition on the legendary Fox Harb’r Golf Course. Thank you to the NSDTA for hosting and organizing this exciting event, which has been enjoyed by NSDA members for many years!

In the evening, members and their guests gathered at the Fox Harb’r Sporting Lodge for a Welcome Reception. Dr. Juli Waterbury, in one of her final official events as NSDA President, took to the mic and welcomed everyone to the AGM Weekend.

Friday, June 14

This year’s continuing education program (which was free for all attendees) kicked off on Friday morning in the Fox Harb’r Nova Scotia Ballroom, beginning with “Diagnosing and Managing Root Resorption,” presented by Dr. Evan Baird. The course covered four different types of root resorption — internal resorption, external inflammatory resorption, external cervical resorption, and replacement resorption — and included a discussion of the etiology, basic biology, prognosis, and management for each.

Following a brief coffee break, Dr. Lindsay James continued the educational component of the weekend with her session, “Management of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization in the Pediatric Population.” The course provided a general overview of molar-incisor hypomineralization, including diagnosis and treatment considerations.

Attendees enjoyed a lunch buffet before reconvening for the afternoon sessions, beginning with “Profit and Protect: Interest rates, inflation and cyber crime,” a panel presentation led by CDSPI. Dr. Farha Sardar then closed the day’s educational component with her session, titled, “The ‘A to Zzzz’ of dental sleep medicine.”

Friday concluded with a cocktail reception and dinner, where attendees had the opportunity to connect and chat with friends and colleagues. Dr. Waterbury welcomed everyone to the event and thanked our weekend sponsors — including Urban Dental Design, which provided guests with drink tickets for the evening’s reception.

Saturday, June 15

As per tradition, former NSDA presidents attended the Past-Presidents’ Breakfast on Saturday morning to discuss relevant and pressing issues. Attendees gathered in the Wallace Room, overlooking the Fox Harb’r Golf Course, to dive into this year’s hot topic: “Canadian Dental Care Plan: Where it is now and what options remain.”

The CE line-up continued on Saturday morning, beginning with “Benefits of Soft Tissue Grafting Around Teeth and Implants,” presented by Dr. Matthew Morris. The course provided an overview of the physiological anatomy and mucogingival deformities of periodontal and peri-implant tissues, along with a summary of the 2017 Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant diseases with respect to ‘mucogingival deformities and conditions’ and ‘peri-implant soft and hard tissue deficiencies.’

After a short break, attendees reconvened in the Nova Scotia Ballroom for the much-anticipated CDCP panel, led by Dr. Waterbury, Dr. Heather Carr, Dr. Chris Mintern, and Mr. Steve Jennex, NSDA Executive Director. The discussion offered an overview of where the Canadian Dental Care Plan stands currently, as well as an exploration of how it might look for dentists once Health Canada’s ‘alternative pathway’ opens on July 8. In addition to the packed room of in-person attendees, more than 50 NSDA members tuned in virtually for the session.

Following a barbeque lunch in the gorgeous Cape Cliff Dining Room, NSDA members came together for the Annual Business Meeting. A feature since 1891, the meeting is an opportunity for dentists from across the province to meet and discuss important, current events impacting dental care and practices. To ensure maximum attendance, the meeting was hosted in a hybrid format, with NSDA members tuning in virtually (via Zoom), as well as in person at Fox Harb’r.

Upon calling the meeting to order, Dr. Alfred Dean, Chair of the NSDA, invited Dr. Waterbury to present a Year in Review of the NSDA’s activities. Other highlights of the Business Meeting included an update from CDA representative, Dr. Stuart MacDonald; a presentation by Mr. Ed Dermit, CEO of CDSPI; greetings from Dr. Russell MacSween, Board Chair for the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia; and an educational update from Dr. Ben Davis, Dean of the Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry.

The meeting also included a moment of silence for members who have passed in the last year, along with the announcement of this year’s NSDA award winners and the date and location of next year’s AGM. Eligible members in attendance were also called upon to receive their NSDA life member pin.

Dr. Waterbury passed the chain of office to Dr. Claire Karst, officially installing her as NSDA President for the 2024/25 year. Dr. Karst, in turn, presented Dr. Waterbury with her Past-President pin. Dr. James Brunt was also confirmed as Vice-President, while Dr. Caleb Porter has assumed the role of President-Elect.

The NSDA is incredibly grateful to Dr. Waterbury for her dedication and leadership throughout an eventful year in Canadian dentistry! We’re excited to welcome Dr. Karst as President for the year ahead.

Congratulations to this year’s NSDA Award winners!

The AGM weekend concluded with the Chain of Office and Awards ceremony, held Saturday evening. With Dr. Karst at the mic as MC, table officers and their families were led into the ballroom by a traditional bagpiper to begin the ceremony.

The following individuals were recognized for their exemplary service to the profession and community this past year:

Don Pamenter Friend of Dentistry Award:
Ms. Francine Leach

The Don Pamenter Friend of Dentistry Award is given to an individual non-dentist to recognize outstanding service to the profession of dentistry, either for a single outstanding contribution or for sustained service of no less than 15 years.

NSDA Community Service Award:
Dr. Grace Richardson

The Community Service Award is presented to a dentist for non-dental-related community service. The community service may be for one outstanding event or activity or for service over a period of time.

T.D. Ingham Volunteer Award:
Dr. Asile El-Darahali and Dr. Mike Salyzyn

The T.D. Ingham Volunteer Award recognizes exemplary service in the line of internal volunteerism on NSDA committees.

NSDA Award of Excellence:
Dr. Tammy Wright

The Award of Excellence recognizes an individual for exemplary, long-standing (minimum of 10 years) service to “organized dentistry,” either provincially or nationally.

Dr. Philip S. Christie Award for Distinguished Service:
Dr. Scott MacLean

The Dr. Philip S. Christie Award for Distinguished Service is presented to an individual in recognition of their outstanding contributions and service to the profession of no less than 15 years.

Until next year!

Thank you to all who attended the 2024 AGM and to everyone who helped make it a success.

Thank you, as well, to our AGM Weekend Sponsors: CDSPI, our Platinum Sponsor; Patterson Dental, our Gold Sponsor; and Pro-Dent Laboratory, our Bronze Sponsor. Additionally, many thanks to ROI Corporation for providing the wine for Saturday night’s dinner and to Urban Dental Design for supplying drink tickets for the Friday night cocktail reception. Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated.

We look forward to the upcoming year and seeing you all at the 2025 AGM, held at Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa on June 12, 13, and 14, 2025!

Please find below a collection of photos from the 2024 NSDA AGM!