ICD celebrates 45th anniversary on Jan 29

MANILA, Philippines - The International College of Dentists (ICD) Philippines Section will celebrate its 45th anniversary through an annual convocation and banquet on Jan. 29 at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

With the theme “Continuing the Tradition of Service,” the annual convocation will have former Chief Justice Reynato Puno as guest of honor and inducting officer.

The event will be highlighted by the induction of new officers led by Fellow Marilyn Leung, induction of eight new Fellows (Drs. Niceto Astudillo, Angela Centeno, Caroline Franco, Alvin Laxamana, Maria Laarni Serraon, Ma. Jocelyn Tan, Tagumpay Tapawan, and Angelica Torres), and conferment of honorary fellowship to Jocelyn Ong, assistant manager of the Professional Relations Management Division of Unilab, in recognition of her significant contributions to making ICD undertakings a success.

Leung, who has vast experience in prestigious organizations such as the Association of Philippine Orthodontists, Board of Philippine Orthodontics which regulates the practice of orthodontics in the Philippines, Academy of Dentistry International, and the UP Dental Alumni Association, takes over from Dr. Rosita Tan.

Over the years, ICD, guided by its motto, “Recognizing Service and the Opportunity to Serve,” has been assisting mostly the underserved segments of society.

In 2011, under Tan’s leadership, the ICD Philippine Section was able to complete numerous socio-civic projects like the upgrading of a deepwell at the Daine Elementary School in Indang, Cavite, benefiting 1,000 students; an outreach program in Smokey Mountain, Tondo where teeth cleaning, tooth restorations, haircut, oral health education and distribution of dental kits were performed; gift-giving to patients of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center and National Children’s Hospital; and a comprehensive cleft lip and plate care program in cooperation with Noordhoff Cranofacial Foundation Philippines, Inc and Mosskids Apparel Inc. 

Aside from these socio-civic projects, ICD through the support of United Laboratories Inc. and Dentsply Philippines, was also involved in scholarly projects such as the Faculty Development Research Workshop which was participated in by faculty members from the different dental schools in the Philippines to enhance their capabilities to produce quality research papers.

Another noteworthy project of ICD was the Student Scholarship Program. Through the donations of Tan’s philanthropic friends, two deserving dentistry students were awarded scholarships. A total of six scholarship grants were donated and these will be awarded in the succeeding years.