JCDA - Canadian Dental Association

denturists, assistants and dental
therapists are here to stay and these
professions all have their role to play.
On the other hand, I still believe that
dentists should be the leaders of the
dental team. I’m not saying this in a
‘paternalistic’ way, but I think that by
working as a team, each member can
be efficient and act with some
degree of independence. By working
together, I believe that we can serve
and treat our patients in a costeffective
way and also with better
results. Dentists need to work
together with the other professions. At
the same time, we need to make sure
the public is well served. The world of
dentistry needs to work together; if we
don’t, others will be only too pleased
to swallow us up.
“I believe that the patients primarily
come to our offices to see their
dentist,” Dr. Dubé continues. “These
patients expect that the dentist will see
them, develop treatment plans for
them and perform the treatment
themselves or with their professional
team. CDA has been presenting this
concept over the last few years and
I think that we should continue to
do so. At the Strategic Forum in
September, representatives of dental
assistants, hygienists and denturists
participated in the debates for the first
time in many years. I believe that this
is a step in the right direction. We
don’t need to agree on everything, but
at least we are keeping the dialogue
going.”
Dr. Dubé is concerned by the great
unmet need for dental services. “I see
many people who cannot get access to
dental treatment. These are people
who make enough money to avoid the
social net, but don’t have access to
dental plans — such as seniors, small
business employees and single parents.
Many people can go through their
childhood without even receiving
basic oral preventive and treatment
services. CDA and dentistry in general
are present in the media, but often the
spin is on high tech and cosmetic
Journal of the Canadian Dental Association
President’s Profile
Dr. Dubé with Dr. Michèle Aerden, president-elect of the FDI World Dental Federation.
Dr. Dubé was part of the Canadian delegation attending the FDI 2003 World Dental Congress
held in Sydney, Australia, September 18-21.
dentistry. I understand that these
aspects of dentistry are appealing, but
more effort should target the basics of
dentistry.
The dental profession is now at a
turning point, says CDA’s newly
installed president. “Baby boomers are
on the verge of retirement. This
means that more patients with a lot of
extensive dental work will be losing
their dental plan coverage. More
dentists will be leaving the profession
through retirement than entering it.
More than ever, there will be a need
for working as a team and providing
services where they are needed.
Immigration and certification of
foreign dentists will be a beneficial
relief valve, but the high standard of
dental care in Canada cannot be
jeopardized.”
As for interests outside dentistry,
Dr. Dubé says he enjoys snowboarding,
rollerblading and winter sports
in general. He is also an avid
photographer.
“I’ve always been involved in all
kinds of activities since school days,”
Dr. Dubé reflects. “Being one of the
leaders has always been gratifying. I
wish that all people could live such an
experience as the one I’m living now.
But there’s not only CDA. When I
give a lecture on behalf of CDA to
dental students, I always make a point
of telling them how important it is to
be actively involved in organizations.
It can be the local soccer league, the
church choir, the Lions Club or the
Kinsmen, for example. Not only does
one grow from such involvement in
the community, but it is also one of
the best ways to attract new friends
and patients.” C
Harvey Chartrand is senior writer/editor
with the Canadian Dental Association.
November 2003, Vol. 69, No. 10 631