Academy of Operative Dentistry Hollenback Memorial Prize

Dr Mathilde “Tilly” Peters

The winner of the 2008 Hollenback Memorial Prize is Dr Mathilde “Tilly” Peters, professor and director of International Clinical Research, Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr Peters is an international figure in operative dentistry, whose extensive high-quality research and related academic activities have made many, varied contributions to new knowledge and understanding in the field. In addition to being an international authority on biomechanical aspects of restorations, restored teeth and operative procedures, Dr Peters is a champion of minimally interventive techniques in operative dentistry, with special emphasis on the optimum selection and application of modern restorative systems.

As a new dental graduate, Tilly Peters remained in Nijmegen to join the faculty of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, and later, the Department of Cariology and Endodontology of the University of Nijmegen School of Dentistry in The Netherlands. Upon completion of her PhD, Dr Peters became director of the school's Biomechanics Group. Over the next 13 years, Tilly spent a considerable amount of time in the USA, working on collaborative research projects, first as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Michigan, then later as Visiting Lasby Professor at the University of Minnesota. After a brief return to the University of Nijmegen, Tilly moved with her husband and four young sons to Australia. She then followed a period of three years as a professor and chair of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, South Australia, prior to taking up her present position at the University of Michigan.

Dr Peters has been the recipient of many research grants and awards, lectured widely on the international stage, including many countries in Europe, Asia and South America and published on many occasions in most of the journals relevant to operative dentistry and related dental materials science. She is active in many professional organizations for research and teaching, including the American Association for Dental Research, the International Association for Dental Research and the American Dental Education Association, holds longstanding fellowships in the Academy of Dental Materials and the International College of Dentists, and she currently leads an international clinical research network spanning collaborations on five continents. With such a high profile, Dr Peters, the new chair of the Academy's Research Committee, brings great credit to the Academy and operative dentistry in general.

Given the potent combination of expertise and interests in biomechanics and minimally invasive dentistry, Dr Peters is at the forefront of new innovations and concepts in operative dentistry. Her adagio “prevention of extension” replaced Black's “extension for prevention.” She promotes current concepts in caries management and is a prominent advocate of minimal caries removal and the use of bioactive materials to reinforce remaining tooth tissues. Tilly is also passionate about the use of cutting-edge technology for education. In the early 1990s, supported by her spouse and educational technologist, Henny Poort, Tilly pioneered interactive CD-ROM technology in dental education—an engaging teaching interest that she subsequently pursued with great success at the University of Michigan.

Tilly Peters' drive and contagious enthusiasm for the profession has influenced many colleagues in the course of their careers. With her wide-ranging mentoring activities, Tilly has reached out to students and colleagues alike. In particular, her mentoring of aspiring young women in science and engineering led, in 2004, to the NSF/ADVANCE Crosby Award. Tilly was the first person in the field of dentistry to receive this prestigious award.

For her leadership, achievements and inspiration to others, Dr Tilly Peters is a most worthy and meritorious winner of the 2008 Hollenback Memorial Prize. The Academy salutes and applauds the exemplary contributions Dr Peters has made to the advancement of operative dentistry as she joins the illustrious group of Hollenback Memorial Prize winners.