An Amazing Honor

Author: Dr. David Dickerhoff, DDS, MAGD, FOCOI

I was recently invited to join the Pierre Fauchard Academy which was an incredible surprise to me as it was an honor that I coveted but felt that I may never earn. Let me tell you a little about the Academy and its mission.

It is an international organization currently comprised of nearly 8,000 Fellows worldwide with 24 being located in North Carolina.  The membership is made of dentists who are among the most outstanding leaders in various fields of dentistry.  Fellowship is by invitation only and must have the approval of the Section or Regional Trustee in which the candidate resides or practices.

Our mission as Fellows in the Pierre Fauchard Academy is to recognize and develop outstanding leadership in our profession, internationally.

The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an international dental honor organization that recognizes leaders and future leaders in the profession.  Founded in 1936, the PFA has over 7,000 Fellows around the world.  The honor of fellowship is conferred on those dentists who have demonstrated that they have ‘served’ and/or have great potential for service.  Fellowship is extended to fewer than 3% internationally whom colleagues have recognized as the best.

I look upon myself as an incredibly blessed health care practitioner that has had the honor of serving this great profession for the last 41 years, but with the potential to do many more great things.  Through my practice in Spring Lake, North Carolina I have had the privilege of serving the many outstanding citizens of the Greater Fort Bragg (Liberty)/Fayetteville/Spring Lake community.  Taking care of soldiers, their families and retirees has been a great honor and I hope that by accepting their insurances I have proved that my admiration for their service to their country is more about ‘giving back’ than making a ton of money.  But through the years, I have been able to serve on many boards, organizations and philanthropic endeavors.  My involvement with the Southern Region Area Health Education Center (SRAHEC), United Way, March of Dimes, Boy/Girl Scouts, Care Clinic, Better Health, Rebuilding America’s Warriors, Spring Lake Community Appearance and Sustainability Commission as well as my church, Spring Lake First Presbyterian has been incredibly fulfilling.  But my Fellowship with the Pierre Fauchard Academy only motivates me to seek new endeavors that may benefit my fellow man.  But perhaps my happiest contributions are the teaching moments I have with my staff and patients in educating them about being lifelong students and striving to come to work each day with a giving heart.

So I accept this honor with great humility in the hopes that I can live up to its ideals.  I hope that you see in me a worthiness and will continue to use me as a resource for benefitting the greater good.