John McLean
Honorary Lecture

“Irreplaceable” … “a departed father” … “a great man” … “a great dentist” … “a brilliant mind” … “a great conversationalist” … “a first class orator” … “an outstanding person” …“the innovator” … “leading light of world dentistry” … “a wonderful and special person” …“the end of a great life” … “a great man of our time” … “a giant” … “the end of an era” …“passing of a legend” … “a sensational individual” … a strong supporter of the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.

These were just a few of the many comments and remarks made from all corners of the world within 24 hours of the passing of a great man who was a husband, father, grandfather, scientist, academic, researcher, clinician. The Innovative ideas and concepts, some too much before their time, such as alteration of the dentin layer by acidic acrylic in 1953, the bonding of porcelain to metal in the 60ʻs, the advent of high-strength aluminous cores in the 70ʻs alongside the development and clinical utilization of the glass ionomer cements and the list goes on and on are part of this chapter. Volumes could be filled with the biography, curriculum vitae, anecdotes, stories, photographs that would only partially represent the unique individual that was John McLean.

For a man known for his oratory skills (he was, after all, an admirer of Sir Winston Churchill), and aesthetic use of the English language, for once, any words seem inadequate, almost pathetic, when attempting to describe the man behind the legend, for that is what John was, a legend (defined as mythical or supernatural beings). John had the power, the knowledge, the insight, and the conviction, to continually buck the trend, to go against traditionalists, to “think outside the box” (did he also invent that concept?). He followed Sir Winstonʼs ideal: “A man does what he must – in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures – and that is the basis of all human morality.” Only a legend can endure the pressures of constantly breaking new ground for almost 7 decades.

John McLean now joins his dearest friends, Ed Jeansonne, Lloyd Miller and Peter Scharer and can finally have that long-awaited discussion with Sir Winston Churchill who said “I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.” 

Dr Mac, thanks for everything … you will be missed … but never forgotten. 
David Winkler, United Kingdom

Family, Friends &
The European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry

1997: Willi Geller
1998: Lloyd Miller
1999: Ivor Mjor
2000: Bernard Touati
2001: Nicola Pietrobon / Stefan Paul
2002: Dennis Smith
2003: Dan Nathanson
2004: Gerard Chiche
2005: Robert Winter
2006: Mike Wise
2007: Harry Prieskel
2008: Mauro Fradeani
2009: Edwina Kidd
2010: David Winkler
2011: Christian Stappert
2012: Stephen Chu
2013: Sandro Palla
2014: Van Thomson
2015: Dan Nathenson
2016: Kenneth Malament
2017: Markus B. Blatz
2018: Irena Sailer / Vincent Fehmer
2019: Stefano Gracis
2022: Galip Gurel
2023: Matthias Kern