William J Spence ICD Memorial Foundation

The Canadian Section of the International College of Dentists (ICD) is guided by a mission that includes advancing oral health and education around the world. This global commitment has long been embodied by the work of the William J. Spence ICD Memorial Foundation. Since its registration as a charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency in 2002, the Foundation has made it possible for ICD Fellows and other benefactors to contribute tax-deductible donations in support of humanitarian dental missions.

These donations are typically distributed the following year to fund dental supplies and materials for international outreach efforts—most often led by ICD Fellows themselves.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic halted global travel in 2020 and 2021, and continued to disrupt humanitarian missions into 2022, the Foundation sustained its work by supporting domestic projects within Canada. Now that travel restrictions have lifted, the Spence Foundation is once again receiving applications from returning and new mission teams serving communities in Africa and South America—areas with pressing needs for volunteer-run dental care.

The need is urgent.

Despite our best efforts, the number of applications far exceeds available resources. In January 2025, the Foundation received ten requests for support. After careful review and drawing from limited reserves, we were only able to partially fund five of these applications. Each of these five received $5,000 towards the cost of essential dental supplies:

• Fellow Ralph Pisko-Dubienski – Ethiopia (Calgary, AB)
• Fellow Bill Tyler – Zambia (Mission, BC)
• Fellow Pennie Thornton – Wright Clinic (London, ON)
• Fellow Rick Caldwell – Rio Dulce, Guatemala (Toronto, ON)
• Fellow Aaron Kim – Guatemala (Winnipeg, MB)

We are also deeply grateful for the continued support of the ICD Global Visionary Fund (GVF) and Henry Schein Cares Foundation (HSC). Now in the third year of our partnership, this collaboration has once again provided three humanitarian missions with in-kind dental supplies valued at $10,000 USD, donated via the Henry Schein Canada online catalogue.

This year’s GVF/HSC awards supported the following Fellows and initiatives:

• Fellow Aaron Kim – Norwest Access (North Winnipeg, MB) – Year 3
• Fellow Ralph Pisko-Dubienski – Ethiopia and Rwanda (Fall 2025)
• Fellow Izchak Barzilay – Ongoing mission and education in Kampala, Uganda

As the demand for humanitarian dental missions grows, so too must our support. The Spence Foundation urgently appeals to all ICD Fellows to renew or increase their contributions for 2026. Every donation directly impacts underserved communities and helps our Fellows deliver care where it is needed most.

To learn more about our mission, submit an application, or make a tax-deductible donation, please visit:

https://icd-canada.org/Donation/

William H. (Bill) Christie, Life Fellow,
President of “The Spence Foundation”.