Gregory, Peters Honored by Academy of Operative Dentistry

Drs. William Gregory and Mathilde Peters were honored earlier this year by the Academy of Operative Dentistry during the organization's 37th annual meeting in Chicago.

Gregory was presented with the Award of Excellence. Established in 1986, the award recognizes outstanding contributions to operative dentistry in areas that include service to AOD, teaching at academic and continuing education levels, and promotion of excellence nationally or internationally.

Peters received the Hollenback Memorial Prize. Established in 1975 as a memorial to the late George Hollenback for his research and leadership, this award recognizes researchers who have substantially contributed to restorative dentistry in areas from fundamental to applied, prevention of dental disease, and developing improved materials and techniques.

William Gregory

Gregory earned his DDS from the U-M School of Dentistry in 1953 and an advanced degree in restorative dentistry in 1983.

After earning his dental degree, Gregory practiced with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and then returned to private practice with his father, Robert, who earned his dental degree from Michigan in 1923.

After running a private practice until 1981, Gregory retrained at U-M and remained with the School after earning a master's degree to mentor dental students.

He has traveled to Central and South America to provide oral health care, lectured on operative dentistry and dental caries in the U.S. and Europe, published many peer-reviewed articles, and contributed to two books.

In presenting the award, the Academy said that Gregory "has established a legacy of clinical service and excellence."

"The U-M School of Dentistry affected me very early in my life because my father was trained here, and then I earned my dental degree here in 1953 and a master's degree thirty years later," Gregory said. "I'm proud to be a part of this great School."

Mathilde Peters

Dr. Tilly Peters, a professor of dentistry in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, has been at the U-M School of Dentistry since 1997.

In presenting her with the Hollenback Prize, the Academy said she "is at the forefront of new innovations and concepts in operative dentistry." The Academy noted that "in addition to being an international authority on biomechanical aspects of restorations, restored teeth, and operative procedures," she also has been "a champion of minimally interventive techniques in operative dentistry."

Peters, who chairs the Academy's Research Committee, has lectured extensively in Europe, Asia, and South America.

Four years ago, she was one of 10 U-M women researchers to receive a Crosby Research Award from the National Science Foundation. The award is designed to foster collaboration, advance the careers of women faculty members in the sciences, and introduce graduate female students to research. [DentalUM, Fall 2004, page 72]