International Role for Past President of the Australian Dental Association

Associate Professor Neil Hewson, Immediate Past President of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Inc. has been elected as Speaker of the General Assembly of the FDI World Dental Federation at its annual World Dental Parliament in Mexico City last week.

The FDI World Dental Federation was established in 1900 as Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) in Paris, France and is one of the world's oldest existing health profession organisations. FDI is a federation of approximately 200 national dental associations and specialist groups representing more than one million dentists worldwide.

Associate Professor Hewson has been elected to a three-year term of office. He follows on from Dr Greg Chadwick from the USA who served as Speaker for the last six years.

"This is a fantastic achievement for Associate Professor Hewson, the Australian Dental Association and great news for Australia," said ADA President, Dr Shane Fryer. "Associate Professor Hewson is only the second Australian to hold such office. His appointment provides Australia with the opportunity to play an influential role in the development of world oral health policy."

The Speaker of the General Assembly is one the most senior roles in FDI. In this role, Associate Professor Hewson will preside at all meetings of the General Assembly of the World Dental Parliament to ensure the smooth running of proceedings and to facilitate delegate participation in important worldwide oral health issues.

Associate Professor Hewson has a distinguished career as a practising dentist, authored a number of papers for scientific journals other publications promoting oral health and has been awarded a number of Australian and international awards and fellowships for his contribution to dentistry. He served as the President of the ADA from 2008-2010 and continues today as a Federal Councillor and Chairman of number of ADA Committees.

He has worked closely with the FDI over the last few years as a member of the Budget Advisory Committee and as a liaison officer for the ADA and has been instrumental in guiding the Australian Government in the development of their response to the United Nations Environmental Programme on mercury. He is also a Clinical Lead for the National e-Health Transitional Authority and a Board member of the Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre.

In an acceptance speech, Associate Professor Hewson thanked the Australian Dental Association for its support in nominating him for the position and thanked the ADA delegation who had supported him throughout the FDI program of meetings.