Dr. Keith W. Dickey, emeritus associate professor and director of continuing education and alumni services in the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM), was awarded fellowship in the International Pierre Fauchard Academy Feb. 20 during the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter meeting.
Currently, there are 61 dentists in Illinois who have received Fellowship in the Academy. It is by invitation only and bestowed on dentists in recognition of their distinguished work, research, contributions and public service along with providing excellence in programs, education and leadership in oral health care.
“I am extremely honored to have received Fellowship in the Academy and offer my gratitude to those who have served dentistry in the past and maintained the profession’s integrity,” said Dickey.
The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an honorary dental service organization founded in 1936. Troubled by the proprietary nature of many dental publications, the Academy wanted to help the profession gain control of its own literature and assure its independence from commercial interests.
The Academy is named after Pierre Fauchard of France (1678-1761), who is recognized as the “Father of Modern Dentistry” for raising dentistry to a profession. He wrote “Le Chirurgien Dentiste au Traite des Dents,” which was the first true textbook of dentistry.
The mission of Fellows in the Pierre Fauchard Academy is to consistently focus on professionalism, integrity and ethics worldwide by their own conduct as worthy role models and by the advancement of dentistry to the highest level.
The Pierre Fauchard Academy is currently comprised of over 8,000 Fellows divided into 120 sections, 55 in the United States and another 65 in many other parts of the world, including South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Dickey received his undergraduate education at Indiana State University and his dental degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry. He completed his MBA at Southern Illinois University. In addition to his appointments in the SIU SDM, Dickey maintained a private practice of general dentistry in East Alton until 2013.
Having served as president of the Illinois State Dental Society during 2007-2008, Dickey was supreme president of Xi Psi Phi International Dental Fraternity in 1990-92 and president of Madison District Dental Society in 1992. He has served as a delegate and alternate to the ISDS House of Delegates, member of the DENT-IL-PAC President’s Club, and member of ISDS Committees on Governmental Affairs, Dental Education, Dental Auxiliary Education and Duties of Dental Auxiliaries in Illinois.
In addition, Dickey has served as a delegate and alternate to the ADA Annual Sessions House of Delegates, a member of the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs, and a consultant to the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation. Currently serving as president of the ISDS Foundation, Dickey is an ISDS Foundation Benefactor, and he is chair of the ISDSF Executive Committee, and Dental School Liaison to SIU SDM. Dickey is also a Fellow of the American College and International College of Dentists.