The Dawson Center to Become The Dawson Academy
“Time-Tested Principles For Today’s Dentistry”
Announces the Creation of Peter Dawson Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
St. Petersburg, FL – February 22, 2008 – The Dawson Center, founded nearly 30 years ago by Dr. Peter E. Dawson, announces today it will expand its focus and become the Dawson Academy. The formal announcement was made in Chicago, Illinois during the Midwinter Dental Meeting. The creation of the Peter E. Dawson Foundation was also announced by DeWitt Wilkerson, DMD, who will serve as the Foundation’s Chairman. The purpose of the Foundation is to support dental education, the advancement of ethical dentistry, scientific research and worldwide dental outreach programs to help the less fortunate.

Founded in 1979, the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study is dedicated to teaching the principles and skills necessary for the successful practice of complete, quality, predictable dentistry with primary concentrations in occlusion, the temporomandibular joints and comprehensive restorative dentistry. The Dawson Academy is the result of merging the Dawson Center together with Cranham Dental Seminars of Chesapeake, Virginia and the Institute of Oral Art and Design of Sarasota, Florida. Dr. Henry Gremillion, Director of the Parker Mahan Facial Pain Center at the University of Florida College of Dentistry (UFCD), becomes the Academy’s Executive VP of Academic Affairs.

The Academy will continue to teach Dr. Dawson’s time-tested principles as they relate to today’s dentistry. The curriculum will be expanded to four areas of study: the core curriculum, advanced restorative principles and procedures, dental medicine, and practice and professional growth.

“From basic occlusal principles for everyday practice to the ability to diagnose, treatment plan and solve complex problems, the Dawson Academy’s integrated curriculum develops knowledge and skills in the three essential competencies necessary for successful practice today – clinical, behavioral and entrepreneurial,” Dr. Dawson said. “The Academy is committed to helping our students implement the procedures we teach so they can begin using them immediately. We help them develop confidence in their ability to solve patients’ problems, and our core curriculum teaches our students how to perform complete, quality dentistry. The result is reduced stress, increased profitability, a renewed passion for dentistry and a greater life balance.”

The Dawson Academy 

Dr. Dawson maintains an active teaching and mentoring role, and Joan S. Forrest, the Executive Director of the Dawson Center, becomes the Academy’s President and CEO. The rest of the Academy’s leadership team consists of Dr. Gremillion; Lee Culp, CDT, Director of Innovation and Technology; John C. Cranham, DDS, Director of Education; and Glenn DuPont, DDS, Director of Faculty.

The Dawson Academy Leadership Team:

Peter E. Dawson, DDS
Dr. Dawson is considered one of the most influential clinicians and teachers in the history of dentistry. He is the author of the all time best selling dental text, “Evaluation, Diagnosis and Treatment of Occlusal Problems,” which is published in 13 languages. His newest book, “Functional Occlusion: From TMJ to Smile Design,” has set records as one of the fastest selling medical textbooks ever released by its publisher. He is the founder of the Concept of Complete DentistrySM Series as well as the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study, which he began in 1979. In addition to numerous awards and special recognitions, Dr. Dawson is a past president and life member of the American Equilibration Society, and past president of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry and the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.

Joan S. Forrest, BA, MS
Ms. Forrest has been Executive Director of the Dawson Center since 1993. Prior to joining the Center, she was founder and President of Prime Performance, a training and consulting company specializing in developing self-directed work teams and facilitative leadership. Ms. Forrest’s career has also included management positions with AT&T and United Technologies. She is a published author and recognized speaker on team development, leadership and communications. She received a BA from the University of Florida in Interdisciplinary Studies and an MS in Counseling Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Ms. Forrest is a recipient of the Outstanding Female Leadership Award from the University of Florida and is a member of the University’s Hall of Fame.

Henry A. Gremillion, DDS
Dr. Gremillion attended Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University School of Dentistry and UFCD. Following completion of the fellowship in craniofacial pain at the University of Florida in 1991, Dr. Gremillion accepted an appointment as assistant professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences with an affiliate appointment in the Department of Prosthodontics at the UFCD. In 1992 he was named Director of the Parker E. Mahan Facial Pain Center. He currently holds an appointment as professor in the Department of Orthodontics and an affiliate appointment in the Department of Prosthodontics at UFCD. Dr. Gremillion also holds an adjunct professorship in the Department of Neurology at the University of South Florida School of Medicine. He is an internationally known lecturer and serves as consultant to numerous organizations such as the U.S. Armed Forces. He is on the editorial board of The Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, and General Dentistry.

Lee Culp, CDT
Mr. Culp is recognized internationally as one of today’s most exciting lecturers and innovative artisans in the specialty of dental ceramics and functional esthetics. Former director of technology and ceramic specialist for the Research and Development department of Ivoclar North America, he founded the Institute for Oral Art and Design, a teaching facility for laboratory technicians located in Sarasota, Florida. Mr. Culp is the Editor-in-Chief of Spectrum, a dentist technician communication journal. He is also on the editorial board of Signature, Signature International, Practical Periodontics and Aesthetic Dentistry, Compendium and Inside Dentistry. Mr. Culp’s professional memberships include the American College of Prosthodontics, the American Equilibration Society and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is a leading resource/inventor for many of the materials, products and techniques used in dentistry today, and hold numerous patents for his ideas and products.

John C. Cranham, DDS
Dr. Cranham has a private practice in Chesapeake, Virginia focused on solving complex esthetic and functional problems. An honors graduate of the Medical College of Virginia in 1988, Dr. Cranham maintains a strong relationship with his alma mater serving as an associate clinical professor. Dr. Cranham is an internationally recognized speaker on the Esthetic Principles of Smile Design, Contemporary Occlusal Concepts, Laboratory Communication, and Happiness and Fulfillment in Dentistry as well as the founder of Cranham Dental Seminars. An author of numerous articles, Dr. Cranham has taught over 650 days of continuing education throughout the world. Dr. Cranham has a strong commitment to developing sound educational programs that exceed the needs of today’s dental professional.

Glenn E. DuPont, DDS
Dr. DuPont graduated from Emory University School of Dentistry in 1979 and joined the practice of Drs. Pete Dawson and Reuben “Pete” Roach in St. Petersburg, Florida. This association provided Dr. DuPont the unique opportunity of working side by side with Dr. Dawson completing difficult restorative cases and developing innovative teaching techniques. Dr. DuPont is a founding member of the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study and an adjunct faculty member of UFCD. He is a member of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry and the American Equilibration Society. He is also past president of the Florida Academy of Dental Practice Administration. Dr. DuPont has lectured both nationally and internationally since 1980.

DeWitt Wilkerson, DMD
Dr. Wilkerson graduated from the UFCD in 1982, the same year he joined Dr. Dawson’s group practice in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is a founding member of the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study, a Senior Faculty Member for the Dawson Academy and adjunct faculty member of UFCD. A member of many national and international dental societies, Dr. Wilkerson has lectured extensively on the topics of Occlusion, Restorative Dentistry and the Diagnosis and Treatment of Masticatory System Disorders. He serves on the Advisory Board for Trinity Forum and has served on numerous dental mission trips to Kenya and Romania.