Honorary member of the WFO died at age 97 in October

Dr. B.F. "Tod" Dewel, highly honored and well-known for his writings and support of serial extraction procedures, died Oct. 6 at his home in Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A. He was 97 years old.

Dr. Dewel was one of the first teachers in the graduate orthodontic program at the University of Iowa. He was a distinguished clinician, editor, teacher and researcher, said Dr. John Casko, chair of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Iowa.

"It is unusual to have someone excel in each of these four areas at the level that Dr. Dewel did," Dr. Casko said. "He was a pioneer in serial extraction and was totally dedicated to orthodontics."

Dr. Dewel graduated from the University of Iowa in 1925. Following his graduation, he served as a clinical instructor in orthodontics at the university for four years. In 1929, he moved to Evanston to establish his private practice. He maintained his practice for almost 40 years.

"He was quite a caring person," said his brother Dr. Robert Dewel, who practiced general dentistry in Baraboo, Wisconsin, U.S.A., for 43 years. "He had an easy way with patients."

"The welfare of the patient was primary to him," Dr. Casko said. "He was the ultimate professional. Everything he did was quality."

His desire for excellence is apparent in his articles on serial extraction procedures. The cases presented in these articles demonstrated excellent treatment results and were done before the advent of all the newer space-age advances in appliances and in wires, noted Dr. Casko.

"He was a champion of 'guided tooth eruption,'" said WFO President Dr. William DeKock. "His greatest contribution was describing the clinical diagnostic procedures involved and the benefits of serial extraction procedures in obvious extraction cases."

During his career, Dr. Dewel wrote almost 200 clinical research articles and editorials and lectured in 10 foreign countries. From 1968 to 1978, Dr. Dewel served as the editor of the American Journal of Orthodontics.

"I know of nobody who was more universally liked," said Dr. T.M. Graber, editor of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. "He was a fine member of the American Board of Orthodontics and was highly respected abroad. He was not a powerful speaker, but when he talked, others listened!"

Dr. Dewel received numerous awards and accolades during his career. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Scroll and the Albert H. Ketcham Award, the two highest awards given by the AAO and the American Board of Orthodontics. In 1973, he became a Fellow in Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, an honor that meant a great deal to him. This award is the highest recognition given to a clinical specialist in the British Commonwealth. He also received the Iowa Distinguished Dental Alumnus of the Year Award from the University of Iowa and the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, the highest award given to an alumnus of the University of Iowa. In 1995, he, along with Dr. Fujio Miura and Dr. Arne Bjork, received an honorary membership in the World Federation of Orthodontists. He had also been a guest of honor at a reception held by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco and at one held by General Francisco Franco of Spain.

In addition, the first meeting of the new millennium for the Midwest Component of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists will be dedicated to his memory and his outstanding contributions to that society.

His friends and colleagues remember him for his humbleness, dedication to the specialty, and loyalty to his alma mater.

"He was a very polite, humble person who gave everything he had to orthodontics," Dr. DeKock said. "He was approachable by everyone."

Dr. Dewel's wife, Helen, died in 1984. He is survived by his brother and his brother's family.