About Peter E. Dawson, DDS
For more than 50 years, dentists from around the world have been traveling to St. Petersburg, Florida to attend Dr. Pete Dawson’s seminars on “The Concept of Complete Dentistry”. In addition, Dr. Dawson has lectured throughout the United States at almost every major dental meeting, at many Universities, and study clubs, and in many foreign countries. He is known all over the world for contributions in the field of occlusion and restorative dentistry and for his concepts on diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders. He is the author of the all-time best selling dental textbook, Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Occlusal Problems (two editions). His textbooks have been published in 11 languages and used in dental schools around the world. His latest textbook Functional Occlusion: from TMJ to Smile Design is currently being translated into multiple languages and has been adopted into numerous dental school curricula.
His most recent textbook, “The Complete Dentist Manual” is currently being translated into numerous languages.
Former Professorial Lecturer – Georgetown University School of Dentistry
Former Visiting Lecturer – University of Detroit School of Dentistry
Former Adjunct Professor – University of Florida School of Dentistry
Former Visiting Professor – Emory University School of Postgraduate Dentistry
Former Advisory Faculty – L.D. Pankey Institute
He is the founder and director of the The Dawson Academy, a teaching center and multidisciplinary think tank in which active clinicians from all dental specialties combine their expertise in a search for better understanding of dental diagnosis and treatment.
Fellow in the American College of Dentistry
Fellow in the International College of Dentistry
Past President of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry
Past President of the American Equilibration Society
Past President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
Past President of the Pinellas County Dental Society
Past President of the Pinellas County Dental Research Clinic
Past President of the Florida Academy of Dental Practice Administration
Served as a consultant to the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry
Honors:
1964 – Thomas P. Hinman Medallion award for “Leadership in Dental Progress”
1982 – The Achievement and Humanitarian Award for service to mankind through excellence in restorative dentistry – from New Orleans Dental Conference
1983 – The Thomas P. Hinman Distinguished Service Medal
1985 – Emory University School of Dentistry Deans Award for Special Achievement
1989 – Distinguished Alumni Award from Emory University
2004 – Lifetime Achievement Award from Florida International Dental Congress
2004 – Lifetime Service Award from the Florida Dental Association
2005 – Lifetime Achievement Award from American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
2006 – Gold Medal for Lifetime Contributions to Prosthetic Dentistry from the American Prosthodontic Society
2007 – Awarded the Thaddeus V. Weclew Award for Lifetime Achievement and conferred Honorary Fellowship in the American Academy of General Dentistry
2011 – Awarded the Pacesetter Award from Roth/Williams International Society of Orthodontists for outstanding achievement and leadership
2012 – Awarded the Christian Medical & Dental Associations President’s Heritage Award
2013 – Awarded the Pierre Fauchard Gold Medal in Recognition for Exemplary Achievements
2016 – The American Dental Association presented him with the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the profession
2017 – Awarded the AACD Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry Education by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
2019 – The Texas Dental Association awarded Dr. Peter E Dawson in recognition of his great contributions to all of Dentistry and to so many dentists in the great state of Texas.
The Dawson Academy for Advanced Dental Study has expanded its influence with Dawson Academies in many foreign countries.
Dr. Dawson firmly believes that dentists must accept the role of physician of the masticatory system. For those who do, the next 20 years should be the best years in history to be a dentist. He also believes and teaches that following Judeo-Christian principles of ethical practice, combined with a balanced lifestyle based on family values are keys to a fulfilled life as a professional.
Dr. Dawson has also been active in civic and community affairs.
Past President of the Exchange Club of St. Petersburg
Past member Board of Governors of St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
Recipient of Man of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce
Distinguished Citizen Award from Boy Scouts of America (was an Eagle Scout and former troop committee member)
Past President of St. Petersburg Progress
Founding member of St. Pete Downtown Improvement Corporation
Past Commodore of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club
Presently serves as a Trustee of Cornerstone Bible Church in St. Petersburg, FL
Presently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Christian Medical Dental Associations
Dr. Dawson married the former Jodie Wood in 1957. Jodie passed away November 2018. They have four children and eight grandchildren. He is still active in lecturing, writing, and consulting. He teaches Sunday School and is an Elder in Christ Church of the Valley in Cashiers, NC.
He recently completed and extensive autobiography “A Better Way” with biographer Gregg Lewis… available on Amazon.
About DeWitt C Wilkerson DMD
Witt Wilkerson was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He received his B.S. degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and D.M.D. degree from the University of Florida, College of Dentistry in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. That same year he returned to St. Petersburg, to join the private practice of his mentor, Dr. Peter Dawson. His practice focus has been complex Restorative Dentistry, Dental Occlusion, TMD problem solving, and in recent years, Breathing Disorders/Sleep Apnea, Systemic Inflammation and Complete Health.
Witt began teaching with Dr. Dawson in the late 1980’s. Since that time he has taught over 250 courses through the Dawson Academy, and at many major meetings across the United States, Canada, and countries around the world. He is credited with coining the term “Integrative Dental Medicine” and in 2019 authored a landmark book entitled, “The Shift, The Dramatic Movement Toward Health Centered Dentistry” (WIDIOM Publishing).
Witt has served Dentistry as:
Senior Faculty and Director of Dental Medicine, The Dawson Academy
President, American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH)
President, American Equilibration Society (AES)
Associate Faculty/Special Lecturer at the L.D. Pankey Institute
Chairman, Dental Advisory Council – Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA)
Active Member: American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry (AARD)
Witt married his wife Pat in 1980. They have been blessed with 3 wonderful children, Todd (1986), Whitney (1990), and Ryan (1994), and a precious granddaughter, Carolina (2014). The Wilkersons have been very active in short term Dental Missions, having served in Romania, Kenya, and Nicaragua. Witt and Pat have served for many years as Teaching Leaders in the Tampa Bay area for Bible Study Fellowship International (BSF).
About The CEO – Anne Dawson
In May of 1987, Anne started working with her dad, Dr. Peter E Dawson, at the Dawson Academy. For over 31 years, Anne worked and traveled with her dad around the United States. She scheduled and coordinated his seminars, negotiated with hotels, and formed many long-lasting friendships and relationships with the dentists, lab technicians, and their teams from around the world who attended his classes. In 2017, she started WIDIOM (Would I Do It On Me) Publishing with her dad.
About Widiom Publishing
Widiom Publishing’s mission is to publish and promote books that:
Advocate improved standards in dental practice
Describe and encourage better ways to live a balanced life of significance in line with Christian principles.
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