NZDA Awards

Outstanding Young Dentist Award

This award was instituted as part of the NZDA centennial celebrations 2005. The carving was commissioned by the Executive of the New Zealand Dental Association to be presented biennially to an NZDA Outstanding Young Dentist. It is uniquely New Zealand representing the ideals and values of the Association, and reflects the criteria associated with the award. It was carved from a piece of 2000 year-old Totara donated by the carver, Delanie Brown, who interpreted the concept and ideas presented to him to produce this unique work.

The carving represents the Tau Ihu (Prow) of a Waka and is a physical manifestation of the beliefs and values of the NZDA. The Waka this prow belongs to is the NZDA. Its journey and success comes from the efforts of each paddler or member. The patterns adorning the Prow depict the Wairua or spirit of each person on board. Within the patterns are symbols that represent Strength, Leadership, Vision and Unity. It is these qualities that all within the NZDA must embrace in their journey to achieve perfection and excellence. As the Tau Ihu is the prow of the Waka, so also the NZDA is leader of the profession and dependent on its paddlers to paddle in the same direction for the waka (NZDA) to progress.

At the lower end of the carving is a Pitau or new shoot. This is representative of the Young Dentist whose journey within the profession is just beginning. The Pitau continues along the top of the carving as the career of the Young Dentist progresses, supported by the Association.

Symbolically, the names of the recipients of the Young Dentist Award are in the base of the carving, for it is the service of these members on which the future of our Association rests.

The Award recognises young members of the Association who, through their effort or initiative, have made a significant contribution to the dental profession, excelled in their own career reflecting positively on the profession, and have acted and are likely to continue to act, as ambassadors for the profession.

Outstanding Young Dentists

Note: awardee information from the NZDA News, correct at time of award presentation.

Awards for Final Year BDS Students

The NZDA has three awards for final year students studying the Bachelor of Dentistry at Otago University:

• NZDA Prize for Excellence in General Dental Practice
  Awarded in 2008 to M. Wang
   
• NZDA Prosthodontic Society Prize (Prosthetic Dentistry)
  Awarded in 2008 to Y. Lim
   
• NZDA General Dental Practice Essay Prize
  Awarded in 2008 to D. Benic