CTEC Director Professor Jeffrey Hamdorf and the CTEC team are saddened by the passing of Dr David Booth OAM, a long-term friend of CTEC, a leader in dental education and research and a noted humanitarian. Dr Booth's friend, colleague and co-collaborator Dr Lena Lejmanoski penned the following words in his honour and we thank Dr Lejmanoski for allowing us to share her tribute with the wider CTEC community.
Vale Dr David Booth OAM (1937-2025)
David was born in Southport Lancashire, 27th August, 1937. His father’s work took David and their family to Singapore, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and eventually the family settled in Perth.
David did very well in his leaving certificate exams at Wesley College and won a Commonwealth Scholarship to the University of WA, Dental Faculty in 1954 and completed his degree in 1959.
Initially David worked as a Junior House Officer for Perth Dental Hospital, then worked in London for a period of time before returning to Perth Dental Hospital and private practice. He always had a desire to become an oral surgeon, and this was realized when he completed his Master of Dental Science in Oral Surgery and Oral Pathology.
David made notable contributions to clinical dentistry and dental research. He held the position of Senior Lecturer at the Dental School, Consultant at Royal Perth Hospital, Director of Training in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. He had visiting appointments and consultancies at hospitals and dental schools in England, Wales, the USA, Thailand and the Philippines. David also worked as an Oral pathologist for the Bone Tumour Registry of WA, Western Diagnostic pathology and St John of God Pathology. His knowledge of pathology was second to none.
David had a keen interest in education policy, teaching methods and assessment of teaching. This led to a Graduate Diploma in Education (with distinction) from Curtin University in 1996 and then a Master of Education in 1998 from the University of Tasmania. David was Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, UWA from 1982-1983 and 1984-1986.
This is an excerpt of the acknowledgement written about David when he retired in 2002: “Over the last 36 years, David has made significant contributions to our School of Dentistry at UWA. He is a former Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry and is well known for his kindness and willingness to assist students and fellow staff members. He was of tremendous value to the School of Dentistry.”
David has also been a member of numerous dental associations, societies and study groups, many of which have honoured David for his services with various awards and life memberships.
David combined his professional life with service to the community in the form of membership and various official positions within the South Perth Apex Club, the New Church in Australia, the WA Federation of Independent Schools Parents and Friends Association, the Schools Commission Committee to review Community Education Centres in WA and as an invited member of Plan International Australia.
David was also known for his humanitarian efforts. During a visit in 2003 to Vietnam, he became aware that basic dental and medical services were not available to a vast majority of Vietnamese people, particularly children. He noted there were an extraordinary number of orphanages, many in rural areas, which had no access to these services and relied on donations to be able to provide food.
David began to organise a small group of volunteer doctors, dentists, oral health therapists and other support staff. And that is how CHAT was born, Children’s Health Aid Team. David was so proud of this organisation. A journalist writing an article about CHAT asked David what motivated him. His reply: “Helping others to learn, and passing on my experience and knowledge to others is important to me. Knowing that I am helping children who would otherwise not receive dental treatment is also important to me.”
I was privileged to have collaborated with David on many projects, one of which was the creation of the ‘Practical Oral Surgery Course’ which is a continuing education program for general dentists. This year significantly marks the 20th anniversary of the course.
David was a man of great intellect, integrity and compassion, with a great sense of humour, who achieved so much, yet remained so extremely humble.
The awards he was honoured with recognise a highly successful professional career and a commitment to helping and making a difference to community.
This year, David was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to dentistry. It was so well deserved.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
1955-1959 Commonwealth University Scholarship
1960 American Society of Dentistry for Children’s Certificate
1971 Granted Master of Dental Science
1973 Life Fellow International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
1980, 1986 Inaugural Professor KJG Sutherland Award for the best lecture given by a member of the Dental Study Group of WA
1986 Fellow of the International College of Dentists
1991 Member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, for excellence in dental teaching
1992 Honorary Member University Dental Students’ Society
1995 Nominated by the Commonwealth Committee for the Advancement of University Teaching as one of the 5% of Australian Academics having an exemplary teaching practice
1995 Inaugural Fellow of the Faculty of Oral Pathologists of the Royal Australasian College of Pathologists of Australasia
1996 Granted Graduate Diploma in Education with Distinction by Curtin University of Technology
1998 Granted Master of Education, University of Tasmania
2002 Life Fellow of the International Association for Dental Research
2002 Founder, Christian Health Aid Team of Western Australia Inc.
2007 Life Member of the Australian College of Educators
2009 Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International
2009 Finalist, Senior Western Australian of the Year
2014 Honorary Life Member Dental Study Group of WA
2022 Distinguished Service Award Australian Dental Association (WA)
2025 Awarded Medal of the Order of Australia
Dr Lena Lejmanoski
colleague, co-collaborator, FRIEND