In recognition for outstanding contributions to oral health medicine, science and education, Dr. Gerald Niznick is the 2012 recipient of the Alumni of Distinction award from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Manitoba.

“The selection committee is pleased to confirm that our 2012 Alumni of Distinction award will go to Dr. Niznick,” said Dr. Scott Leckie, past president of the University of Manitoba Dental Alumni Association. “Dr. Niznick’s track record and huge body of work really speaks for itself.”

He has personally trained tens of thousands of practitioners in dental implant procedures and has received numerous awards including Distinguished Educator and Research Awards from ICOI and AAID, two of the largest dental implant organizations, and an honourary doctorate from the University of Manitoba.

Dr. Niznick has contributed generously to oral health education and research. Most recently, he returned to Manitoba with a commitment of over $500,000 in support of the Niznick Overdenture Program, targeting under-served and disadvantaged populations in the province. This clinical treatment and research project, using one of Dr. Niznick’s latest 1-piece implant inventions, is providing training and support for post-graduate fellows at several Canadian Universities in a study being administered through our dental school.

“Dr. Niznick’s impact on implant dentistry is immeasurable,” said Dr. Anthony Iacopino, Dean of Dentistry at the University of Manitoba. “His contributions have had an immediate and positive impact as our Faculty seeks to provide the most comprehensive educational experience of any dental school in Canada or the United States.”

Soon after securing his DMD at the University of Manitoba in 1966, Dr. Niznick earned a MSD degree in Prosthodontics at Indiana University. He went on to become recognized as an international leader in the field of implant dentistry.

With 35 US patents to his name, he is also the founder and CEO of three highly successful implant companies: Core-Vent Corporation (1982), Paragon Implant Company (1997) and Implant Direct Int’l (2004). In December 2010, a majority interest in Implant Direct was acquired by Sybron Dental Specialties with Dr. Niznick retaining a minority interest and continuing to serve as its President and CEO.

He will be presented with the award at the annual Alumni of Distinction banquet slated for September 28 at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg.

“Support for Dr. Niznick was widespread among his classmates and colleagues,” Dr. Leckie said. “He is certainly a most deserving recipient of our 2012 distinction.”

For more information contact Grant Warren, Public Affairs, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, 204-789-3267 (gwarren@cc.umanitoba.ca).