Academy of Operative Dentistry Award of Excellence

Dr William A Gregory

It is a great honor for the Academy of Operative Dentistry to present its 2008 Award of Excellence to Dr William A Gregory. For more than 52 years, Dr Bill Gregory has been a true ambassador for excellence in operative dentistry. After growing up in a dental family, Bill Gregory attended the University of Michigan, receiving his DDS degree in 1953. He practiced in the US Navy during the Korean War and returned to practice with his father in 1955. Bill maintained his private practice through 1981, then returned to school and earned an advanced degree in Restorative Dentistry (1983) at the University of Michigan, prior to adding another 24 years of service to our profession following his second love: teaching operative dentistry.

Beloved by his patients and well known as an extremely gifted practitioner by his peers, Bill has set an extraordinary example twice. First, for more than 25 years in his high-quality private practice, and then by returning to his alma mater to teach new generations of dentists. Bill shared his professional excellence and his high ethical values to the benefit of many patients and dentists.

Bill states, “An important part of my interest in continuing dental education was the Detroit Clinic Club (DCC), an early, perhaps the earliest in the US, dental study club (still functioning). A prominent orthodontist in Detroit and a founder of the DCC, Dr Oliver White, whom I met in 1955, advised me to join the DCC ‘to further my education.’ Dr White was 80 years old in 1955, practicing and still promoting. I did join the DCC and soon was back at the U of Michigan and the U of Detroit (Mercy) taking CE courses, because I obviously had a lot to learn.”

Bill became a role model and mentor who had a gift to help especially those students who needed it most. As evidenced by numerous Teacher of the Year awards, he was one of the most appreciated instructors on the clinic floor—this is true for his students, patients and colleagues, alike. In addition to his teaching, Bill also published 18 peer-reviewed articles, contributed to two books and lectured on Operative/Restorative/Caries Control both in the US and overseas in Europe (Britain, Belgium and Greece), as well as in South and Central America. As one of the founders of The Dental Advisor in 1983, Bill brought the outcome of independent product evaluation to the general dentist, setting an important example of translational research long before this term became mainstream.

Supported by his wife Louise, Bill has reached out and deeply touched so many of his patients, students and colleagues, that, over the years, they have built a large group of true friends—all over the world. Bill and Louise are very special and dear to many of us. On humanitarian trips to Central and South America, Bill combined his expertise as a long-time practitioner, his teacher's qualifications and his interest in other cultures to reach out to their professionals.

With his unassuming, admirable attitude, Bill has had an enormous impact on our profession. Through his unique personality and dedication, his integrity and striving for excellence, Bill installed the very same qualities in students and colleagues. Today, there are thousands of dentists who are providing better quality of care as a result of his influence.

Dr Bill Gregory's entire career has been enlightened by his exemplary selfless service to our profession and to the field of operative dentistry. He has established a legacy of clinical service and excellence. It is no coincidence that so many of his longtime friends are also members of this esteemed Academy. We all feel very fortunate to know him—our lives, professional and personal, are enriched. The Academy of Operative Dentistry can think of no one more deserving of this distinguished award for dedication to our profession.

When asked to comment on his life in dentistry, Bill wrote the following: “Like others, I am truly a University of Michigan person. In my case, I was strongly influenced as a young person by my father, who was a U/M grad. Then, the U formally trained me for adulthood in the DDS program. Those goals were reinforced during the MS study period in my 50s. Since then, I have had another 25 years with the School and the faculty to continue its imprint on me. Mine is a life sheltered by privilege and engrossing work, and shot through with good luck. Go Blue.”