CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American College of Prosthodontists Education Foundation (ACPEF) will honor Thomas D. Taylor, DDS, MSD, FACP, at the Annual Session of the ACP in Orlando, Oct. 21-24. Dr. Taylor will be presented with a medallion for the ACPEF's highest honor – ACPEF Founders Society Award. Dr. Taylor joins Dr. David Felton as the 2015 co-recipient of this honor.
"Out of dental school, I was going to go into Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as a specialty. However, the Vietnam draft got in the way, and I had to do my active duty. As part of that, I was given a General Practice Residency (GPR) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. This experience showed me that my calling was Prosthodontics. I had always planned on an academic career and 40+ years later, I'm so thankful for the path that has opened up for me," said Dr. Taylor.
Dr. Taylor is professor and head of the Department of Reconstructive Sciences and chairman of the Division of Prosthodontics at the University Of Connecticut School Of Dental Medicine. He is involved in both clinical and laboratory research and he has published extensively in prosthodontic literature, including the Journal of Prosthodontics. He also served as a past editor of the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants.
"Prosthodontics is the most wonderful (and most challenging) specialty to be a part of. Our parent organization, the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), has been supportive of me throughout my career. I feel that I couldn't possibly give back the value of what my chosen specialty has done for me. I'm so very proud to have been able to support the ACPEF in its efforts to further our specialty and the patients we serve. It is truly an honor to be recognized with this award. My specialty has done so much more for me than I could ever do for it," added Dr. Taylor.
Dr. Taylor currently serves as executive director and past president of the American Board of Prosthodontics. He has also served as a past president of the ACP, the International College of Prosthodontists and the International Team for Implantology (ITI). Dr. Taylor currently serves as president of the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics.
"His leadership is the breath and the heartbeat of our vital organization. Dr. Taylor is an individual who has given us a remarkable foundation for growth and prosperity in our profession," said ACPEF Chair, Lyndon Cooper, DDS, PhD, FACP.
"The quintessential gentleman, an advocate for all, a leader, guiding light, fair in his actions, enlightening, challenging in his educational persona and delivery -- Tom gives back to patients, peers, students and our specialty. His passion makes him a trailblazer for our specialty in the 21st century," said ACP president, Frank J. Tuminelli, DMD, FACP.
The ACPEF Founders Society Award honors individuals who have made a significant impact on the growth and development of the Foundation, and have demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment to the advancement of the specialty. Nominees must be a member of the ACP, or have demonstrated outstanding service to the specialty through the ACP and ACPEF; must have demonstrated exceptional leadership and outstanding volunteer service to the mission of the ACPEF; must be an active donor to the ACPEF with a substantive, cumulative level of giving; and must have contributed to building and growing the ACPEF.
"Rarely do we find an individual who contributes continuously and tirelessly over an entire career to their profession. The Founders Society Award is a fitting way to recognize such professional generosity. The recognition of Dr. Thomas Taylor by the ACPEF is an inspiring testimony to his level of generosity and dedication as a leader, educator, and clinician. Along with my personal gratitude, I'm positive that our organization, our specialty and all engaged in the discipline of Prosthodontics share the utmost admiration and appreciation for Tom's contribution," said Dr. Cooper.
Prosthodontists are specialized dentists with advanced training in oral health issues, who are committed to improving patient outcomes. From implants, crowns, veneers and tooth whitening, to full-mouth reconstruction, Prosthodontists specialize in digital dentistry, CAD/CAM, and cosmetic dentistry solutions.
The ACP is the only prosthodontic specialty organization whose membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an ADA-accredited advanced education program in Prosthodontics.
