Atlanta — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded a member of the ADA’s National Fluoridation Advisory Committee the CDC Jeffrey P. Koplan Award, the highest honor that the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion can bestow on one of its employees.

Honor: Dana Shelton, acting director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, presents the CDC Jeffrey P. Koplan Award to award to Kip Duchon.

Kip Duchon, who is due to retire on June 30 from his position as National Fluoridation Engineer in the CDC Division of Oral Health, was recognized for his “extraordinary and sustained accomplishments that contribute significantly to advancing the mission of NCCDPHP (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion), as well as exemplary professional practice and leadership,” according to a CDC news release.

Dr. Leon Stanislav, chair of the ADA National Fluoridation Advisory Committee, praised Mr. Duchon’s commitment for more than a decade to advancing awareness and knowledge about fluoridation through his career and tenure on the committee.

“Kip’s wealth of knowledge has been invaluable to our committee, the ADA, water operators and the public at large,” Dr. Stanislav said. “He has been instrumental in providing factual information to preserve, promote and enhance community water fluoridation efforts across the nation. Kip’s expertise has educated all of us at the ADA on the fundamentals of water fluoridation systems, implementation, maintenance and the various engineering aspects involved in community water fluoridation.”

The award is named for Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan, former director of the CDC.