In Memory

Dr Maurice J. Fagan, Jr, a dental implant pioneer and receiver of 10 patents on dental implants in the United States and Europe, died Sunday, April 4, 2004, after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was born December 4, 1921, in Coventry, RI, and moved to Atlanta in 1956. Dr Fagan received his bachelor of science degree from Providence College and his doctor of dental surgery from Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland in 1947. He completed his oral surgery and general anesthesia training at Boston City Hospital from 1948 to 1950.

Dr Fagan was the first credentialed member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry in Georgia, the first diplomate/board-certified dentist of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry in Georgia, a founding fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology with International Diplomate status, and founder of the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics, where he achieved Fellow and Mastership status.

His long list of dental accomplishments include becoming a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry with emeritus status; a Fellow of the Royal Society of Health; a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, London, England; a Fellow of GISI, an Italian Implant Study Group; and an Honorable Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Among a long list of honors and awards, Dr Fagan received honors from France, Italy, and Brazil.

Dr Fagan, Jr, was adjunct associate professor of prosthodontics at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine. He was a visiting professor at the Lariboisiêre Hospital in Paris, France, for many years. He had written over 17 articles on dental implants, 5 textbooks on dental management and implant dentistry, and produced over 9 educational films and audiovisual tapes. In 1985, he was responsible for the publication of the book The Dental Implant: Clinical and Biological Response of Oral Tissues, which was edited by Dr Ralph V. McKinney, Jr, and Dr Jack E. Lemons. More recently, in 1990, Dr Fagan was the editor of the book Implant Prosthodontics: Surgical and Prosthetic Techniques for Dental Implants. He was also a novelist, having published The Isle of Hope, which has been nominated for three major literary awards.

Dr Fagan, Jr, was retired from the US Air Force Reserve as a lieutenant colonel and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Association, having served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He also was called to active duty the day after the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea in 1968. He was stationed at Dobbins Air Force Base while serving with the 918th Communications Flight Support Group.

Dr Fagan, Jr, received 4 distinguished knighthoods, and was the International Grand Prior of the Knights of Malta in the American Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. He was a member of St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church where he served as a Stephens Minister.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, 6 children, 13 grandchildren, a brother, and a sister.

On April 7, 2004, Dr Fagan, Jr, went out in style on a beautiful day surrounded by family and friends. He was honored with a full military honor guard, with a 21 gun salute, and the faint sound of bag pipes from Robins Air Force Base. He will be missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation/AFLAC Cancer Center for Children, (404) 785-7325.

Maurice J. Fagan, III, DMD, MS Son and Partner