FDI appoints Prof. Ira Lamster as IDJ Editor

Geneva: FDI World Dental Federation is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Ira B. Lamster as the next Editor of the International Dental Journal (IDJ), from 1 January 2015.

His appointment was confirmed by the FDI Council during its meeting in New Delhi in September, following a six-month selection process from a group of 55 highly-qualified candidates.

Prof. Lamster is well-known to FDI and serves on its Scientific Committee. He has held a variety of posts within the dental faculty of Columbia University and is currently Professor in the Department of Health Policy & Management, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. From 2001 to 2012 he served as Dean of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.

Prof. Lamster has also served on a number of Editorial Boards of scientific journals, including the IDJ. He has been involved in oral health research for over three decades and has made significant contributions to our understanding of the impact of diabetes mellitus on oral health and the biochemical diagnosis of oral diseases.  His focus now is on the future of the dental profession.

“I am delighted for Prof. Lamster: we have been colleagues and working together within FDI for a number of years and I really cannot imagine anyone more suitable as editor for the IDJ,” said FDI President Dr Tin Chun Wong. “I wish him the very best of luck in his new assignment and look forward to working with him in the coming months.”

“There are many challenges involved in taking over as editor of IDJ, not the least in maintaining its international character and independence,” said Prof. Lamster. “I have many ideas on how it should develop and what role the IDJ can have as a resource for the membership of the FDI, and the dental profession.”

Prof. Lamster takes over from Dr Stephen Hancock IDJ editor since 1990. FDI would like to thank Dr Hancock for the commitment, efficiency and flair he has demonstrated over the past 24 years.

Prof. Lamster is only the fifth editor since 1951 when IDJ was first presented as the official organ of FDI World Dental Federation. His predecessors are: Dr Stephen Hancocks (1990-2014), Prof. Roy Duckworth (1975- 1990), Prof. F. E. Lawton (1965-1975) and Prof. Hubert Horace Stones (1950-1965)-PR