On 16 February 2022 Head of the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Leanne Sykes was presented with the SADA Premier Award which is given to dentists or dental specialists who have made contributions of the highest distinction in the dental profession both nationally and internationally. Prof Sykes shared the honour with Dr Blackie Swart, Dr Howard Gluckman and Prof Peet van der Vyver.

The SADA Gala Awards recognize and reward some of the best achievers within the dental industry in South Africa. The awards were held virtually and broadcast live from a studio in Johannesburg to honour members of the profession for 2020.

The Chief Executive Officer of SADA who was the programme director for the event welcomed guests and acknowledged the importance of the platform which has not taken place over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prof Sykes was truly honoured and humbled to receive this award and thanked all of her teachers, past and present students and patients, who have made every day of her career worthwhile and fulfilling.

“Many of the previous recipients have been my teachers, supervisors, or leaders and were people I have always looked up to and admired. They have all been professionals who are highly regarded in the dental community and beyond, who have shown a lifetime of dedication and commitment to training students, serving the best interest of patients while enhancing dental education and literature” she said.

 “A number of them have been my own mentors and role models. I hope that I will be able to live up to the standards they have set for us and prove myself worthy of this amazing accolade” she added.

The prestigious event showcased the excellent work taking place within dentistry in South Africa, acknowledged outstanding members of the dental and allied professions and celebrated their efforts and commitment to the dental profession.

To watch the recording of the awards and for details of all the winners, go to https://www.sada.co.za/awards202

About Prof Sykes: Prof Leanne Sykes is a specialist prosthodontist and current Head of the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry at the University of Pretoria. She is the ex-president and current senator of the CMSA, as well as the editor of Transactions 9 (the official CMSA journal). She is a former secretary of the IADR, and a current board member of the SADJ. Prof Sykes regularly review articles for the SADJ and has been writing the monthly ethics papers for the past 2 years. She is a regular contributor to scientific papers and other peer-reviewed journals. In 2017 she published a book - CLEAR in Dentistry (Communication, law, ethics and research in dentistry) which was supported and sponsored by the SA dental association.