A life of great service and generosity: A tribute to Dr W. Don Heffron

Dr W. Don Heffron died peacefully after a long illness in Port Macquarie on 30th April, 2024 at the age of 95.

During his lifetime Don represented the profession on literally hundreds of occasions in negotiations with faculties, auxiliaries, dental boards and committees, State and Federal public services, State and Federal health education services, State and Federal political committees and international boards, committees and congresses.

He was a knowledgeable, precise operator who suffered the pangs of the perfectionist but who shared his knowledge freely with his colleagues at both the graduate and undergraduate level.

Don encouraged many others to step outside their isolated practices of dentistry and move forward into the true professional altruism that he espoused and achieved so ably by his own example.

Born in Sydney in 1929, Dr Heffron obtained his Bachelor of Dentistry from Sydney University in 1952 before moving into general practice in England with particular interest in facio-maxillary work from 1953 to 1954.

He followed this international stint with forty years of practice in Rockdale, Sydney, during which was the Senior Honorary Dental Surgeon performing over 200 operations (1956-76) at St George Hospital where, in 1976, he was appointed a lifetime consultant.

His involvement with the ADA extended to presidencies of both the NSW Branch (1969-70) and the Federal Body (1976-80) and in each case, he was made an honorary life member (1978 and 1981 respectively).

Internationally, Dr Heffron was a delegate to International College of Dentists from 1973-80 as well as an Elected Fellow International College of Dentists, Honorary Life Member International College of Dentists and Elected Fellow Pierre Fauchard Academy. In addition, he was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists in 1983.

Dr Heffron received the Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E.) for services to Dentistry and the Community in 1981, and he was life member of the Sydney University Union in addition to being the creator of the Martin Hallas Dental Awards which he presented at graduation until the age of 85.

From 1995-1998, Dr Heffron served as the Director of Clinical Dentistry for fifth year students at Westmead Campus before retiring in 1999, after a career dedicated to both awareness and improvement of dental health and dental practice in this country, to enjoy time with family, international travel, golfing and fishing.

Dr Heffron is survived by his three children Anne, Donna and Christopher, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In the words of Edward Hazen Parker (1823-1896) a physician and poet:

"Life’s race well run,
Life’s work well done,
Life’s victory run,
Now cometh rest."