Sense and Science to Safeguard Society

My name is Anthony Mair and I am seeking your vote in support of my candidacy for the RCDSO council. I am a second-generation dentist and have been practising as an orthodontist in Scarborough since 1990. Dentistry is in my blood and remains to this day a passion for me.

My experience in organized dentistry has been mostly in my specialty, but during my years as an executive of the Ontario Association of Orthodontists I was the official liaison to the RCDSO. I attended multiple council meetings as an observer and developed relationships with many of the well-intentioned people at the College. I have always been drawn to science, but I really embraced the power of data while reading and writing papers in graduate school. My teaching appointments at University of Toronto and Western University continue to keep my affinity for data and science alive. As a teacher I have to be open to following science as it develops, embracing the new and discarding the disproven.

I am running for council because I worry that science and common sense have taken a back seat to fear and emotion during the pandemic. The role of the RCDSO is to protect the interest of the public, but this does not mean that it needs to be anti-dentist. The college is also tasked with “erring on the side of caution” in its actions to serve the public. It is however my opinion that this overly cautious approach was taken to extremes and had many unintended and unfavourable outcomes. There is no evidence that our strict COVID protocols reduced transmission at the dental chair, because there is no evidence of transmission in a modern (“Western”) dental care setting. There is however abundant evidence that patients’ access to care was limited by closed rooms and fallow times. The RCDSO allowed the (incorrect) perception that general dentistry was dangerous to take hold. This only worsened the staffing problems with hygienists and assistants. The subsequent mental health issue among dental care providers was clearly not in the public interest. These concerns were not unique to dentistry, or Ontario, but I firmly believe that if there had been a more measured science-based approach, the interests of the public would have been better served. I am seeking a seat at the table to speak up for science.

The RCDSO has a vast scope of duties and obligations. The role of the dentist councillor is to serve as a liaison for the public staff as they decide what is right for the people of Ontario. As the pandemic recedes there will be new issues that will require thoughtful consideration. It would be inaccurate to think that my intention is to disrupt a successful and reputable dental organization. My aim is to help and serve in whatever assigned capacity, but rest assured that if I am elected, rational and dispassionate science will guide my actions.

Collegially yours,

Anthony Mair DDS MClD

Anthony Mair

My CV

Career Summary

I have been in private practice of orthodontics for over 30 years. I still enjoy clinical practice. I also love teaching orthodontics. I believe that my professional career in teaching and organized dentistry will help to make me an effective Council Member at the RCDSO

Education

Master of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics)   1990
University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada

Doctor of Dental Surgery   1987
McGill University
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Publications

https://issuu.com/cdapublications/docs/cdapubs_journal_2020_october/s/11073899

Decoding Dental Aerosols in the Age of COVID-19
California Dental Association Journal. October 2020

Non-Surgical Compensation of Skeletal Class III
Malocclusions
Oral Health. 2019

Direct Bonding of Maxillary Central Incisors
JCO. 2000; 34:158

Mandibular Growth Direction with Conventional Class II Non-
Extraction Treatment
AJODO.1992; 101:543-549

Professional

Adjunct Professor Western University   1999 - Present
(Graduate Orthodontics)

  • I supervise a clinic in the Bi-Dimensional
    Technique as well as lead seminars in
    Biomechanics, and Cephalometrics

Clinical Instructor University of Toronto   2009 - Present

  • I teach a 10-hour course on Advanced
    Applied Biomechanics to the second year
    Graduate Orthodontic residents
  • I am a clinical instructor for the Adult Clinic
    in Graduate Orthodontics

Scientific Content Committee, Canadian   2015 - Present
Association of Orthodontists

  • I help in the planning of the Doctor
    Scientific Sessions for the annual CAO
    meetings

Executive, Ontario Association of   2011 - 2015
Orthodontists - President 2013-2014

  • As an executive member of the OAO
    I was charged with attending the RCDSO
    Council meetings as an observer for several
    years

Doctor Scientific Chair, NESO Annual   2010
Meeting, Montreal

Executive, Toronto Orthodontic Club   1998- 2002
President in 2000-2001

Presentations

“Awesome Auxiliary Appliances and other 2021 Practical Pearls”
AOQ Annual Meeting – Montreal PQ

“We can do This but not That – Orthodontic   2019
Solutions for Complex Dental Problems”
Jamaica Dental Association, Annual
Convention – Montego Bay, Jamaica

“Exploring the Limits of Non-Surgical Class   2016
III Treatment”
AAO Annual Session, Orlando, Florida

“Tips and Tricks from the Trenches”   2014
PCSO Annual Meeting Anaheim, California
-Staff Program

“Not my Father’s Orthodontics”   2013
Stratford and District Dental Society
Stratford, Ontario

“Tips and Tricks from the Trenches”   2012
RMO – Vail Ski meeting

“Tips and Tricks from the Trenches”   2011
AAO Annual Meeting Chicago, Illinois
-Staff Program

“Class IIIs for Lunch”   2010
3M Canada – Customer Meeting
Wonewok, Minnesota

“Things I Wish I Knew at the Beginning”   2008
Canadian Association of Orthodontists
Annual Meeting, Winnipeg, Manitoba

“Sliding into SmartClip”   2008
3M Canada Whistler and Niagara Meetings

“A New Speed Lower Lateral Bracket”   2004
Speed System Users Meeting, Orlando, Fl