July/August 2011 | Page 30

Dr . Peter Carroll and Dr . David Tecosky Honored with PDA Public Service Award

Past Recipients of PDA Public Service Award

* Posthumously

Tecosky were both chosen to receive the Public Service Award I was very pleased with the Annual Awards Committee ’ s decision . Both of them , Pete and David , gave up countless hours of professional and personal time to represent the best interests of dental health in the city of Philadelphia and by extension to turn back ill-considered legislation that the anti-amalgamists would surely have used to further their cause in other cities and municipalities . They , under the guidance and with the support of ADA and PDA , were able to bring science and an understanding of the economic and medical benefits of amalgam restorations to the discussion .

The amalgam issue is certainly an ongoing discussion and concern for all of us within the tripartite . But David and Pete , through their resourcefulness , determination and great expense of personal and professional time were able to turn aside a radical move by a radical group at a critical time .

As a footnote to the picketing at the ADA meeting in 2005 , I phoned David , who was a group leader of the Committee on Local Arrangements , to ask if he had been at the west entrance of the convention center on that day that the anti-amalgamists were picketing . He replied that he was not and was just as happy that he wasn ’ t . Given that David has the job to organize the national AGD meeting in Philadelphia in 2012 , I know that he now has plenty of experience on how to handle such problems if they occur on his watch .

You have in your Annual Session program book , biographies of Pete ’ s and David ’ s significant accomplishments within organized dentistry . It is not for no reason that awards are given to member individuals with a long list of accomplishments in the profession . To do what David and Pete did demands significant experience and a deep understanding of all the aspects of providing care and its legal , medical and economic ramifications . I am proud to introduce to you both Pete Carroll and David Tecosky and to present them with this year ’ s Public Service Award .

Dr . Carroll ’ s remarks :

Thank you . I am both humbled and honored . There is just one other person who should be up here with us but because he is on the Annual Awards Committee he could not award himself this award . But , Tom Gamba was just as critical in this fight and had just as much influence and he ’ s got a great story to tell you about the very first public hearing Tom and I attended together . Time is of the essence , so when you see Tom in the hallway , ask him about that day we spent in city council . I really am humbled by this award and I hope you have a great meeting today . I wish you wisdom and God ’ s speed . Thank you .

Dr . Tecosky ’ s remarks :

I ’ d like to second what Pete said about my good friend , Tommy Gamba , because without Tom ’ s assistance , I think I would have had a little bit of difficulty dealing with some of those crazies at our meetings . I also want to make a point about being active in organized dentistry . Early in my career , in the late ‘ 80s , I was at a Southern District Dental Society dinner meeting and one of the practicing dentists said to me , “ What do you think about organized dentistry ?” And I said to him , “ I think it ’ s a bunch of old guys .” Now I look in the mirror and think , wow , my hair is turning white now . But the point of it is , he asked me to get actively involved and I haven ’ t stopped since . And that ’ s what we all need to do . Ask for the opinions and advice of our young members and get them actively involved . Thanks so much . This [ award ] means a lot to me .

28 July / August 2011 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal