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Section Chairman Diampo J. Lim, Dean of the Philippine School of Dentistry, met last March with his Section’s Fellows to carefully plan their PFA Philippine Section Community Program for the year. They were extending their outreach program into a new area of the country and wanted their venture to look polished and professional.

L-R, Fellows Rosemary Young Chan, Chair of the Outreach Program; Section Vice Chair Hermogenes Villareal; Rose C. Nisce; Section Chair Diampo Lim; and Best Awardee Primo Gonzales

They were planning an Oral Health Dental Education Project for more than 600 first-grade pupils in three elementary schools in the Paete, Laguna Province, about 65 miles (120 km) south of Manila. Therein resides the home of world-class Filipino woodcarvers. Antonio A.

Baldemor and 26 other dedicated Fellows attended this session with all the Section Officers and those in charge of the demonstrations for three elementary schools.

Using large plastic models, correct tooth brushing skills were demonstrated and packets containing toothpaste, a toothbrush, mouth rinse, germicide bath soap, a small face towel, a plastic cup, and multi-vitamin tablets were distributed to the students. PFA also provided assorted pediatric emergency medicines to the three schools.

The villages were very appreciative of this service and the Mayors along with all the town officials were on hand to welcome the PFA entourage.

The next planned activity of this sort has been scheduled at Bagac, Bataan, the home Province of Best Award recipient Primo Gonzales, an Advisor on the project.

Since 2004, their PFA Section has adopted two Philippine areas to be included in their Community Outreach Program: the Loob Bunga Elementary School in Botolan, Zambales, (Dental World, Sept/Oct 2005 issue, p. 13; and Jan/Feb 2006 issue, pp.10-11) and the Paete School in Laguna. The school in Bagac, Bataan, will be the third added this year.

Dr. Pierre Machtou receiving the Best Award from past President Michael Perpich

Past President Michael Perpich was the PFA ambassador to France to present PFA’s most prestigious award to Dr. Pierre Machtou, a Paris endodontist, during a ceremony in the Thesis Room of Paris 7 University.

At the reception held to honor the Best recipient, in attendance and assisting Dr. Perpich were International Trustee-emeritus Pierre Marois, European Trustee Hubert Ouvrard, and French Chair Marie-Laure Boy-Lefevre.

Adding to the grandeur of the event, four new dental professionals were inducted into Fellowship—Drs. Monique Triller, Pierre LaForgue, Michel Guillain, and Roland Nejar. Dr. Thibault Monnier was not able to be present and will be inducted at the next ceremony.

Dr. Garcia presenting President Perpich with the Medal of the Association de l' Ecole Odontologique

Dr. Robert Garcia presented the Medal of the Association de l’Ecole Odontologique to past PFA President Michael Perpich. Dr. Perpich had been presented the Gold Medal from the Conseil National de l’Ordre des Chirurgiens Dentistes in absentia during their 2005 ceremony in Paris to then President-elect Howard Mark.