DR. ALAN DRINNAN, UB DENTAL PROFESSOR

Dr. Alan Drinnan, a former University at Buffalo professor, diedfrom heart disease Thursday (Jan. 8, 2004) in Millard FillmoreSuburban Hospital, Amherst. He was 71.

Drinnan, of Williamsville, was a SUNY distinguished serviceprofessor emeritus in the department of oral diagnostic sciences ofthe School of Dental Medicine.

He grew up in Bristol, England, and received his dental andmedical degrees from the University of Bristol.

He served as a dental officer in the British army and later ran aprivate dental practice, taught oral surgery on the faculty of theUniversity of Bristol and became a fellow of the Royal College ofSurgeons of England.

Drinnan came to Buffalo in 1962 during a year's sabbatical, andwas enticed by the University at Buffalo to join the faculty on afull-time basis. He received his doctor of dental surgery degreethere, doing his medical internship at Buffalo General Hospital.

He was chairman of UB's department of oral medicine while servingas director of the dental department at Buffalo General Hospital.

He also became a diplomate of the American Academy of Oral andMaxillofacial Pathology, and received his U.S. citizenship in themid-1960s.

Drinnan was considered to be an outstanding speaker and lecturer.He hosted public affairs programs on WKBW-TV, Channel 7, and WNED-TV, Channel 17, for several years.

He also served on the Erie County sheriff's scientific staff, andwas president of the American and International Associations of Oraland Maxillofacial Pathologists.

Drinnan also served as a pathology consultant to the Armed ForcesInstitute of Pathology, World Health Organization, FederationDentaire International, American Dental Association, AmericanAssociation of Dental Schools and the Erie County medical examiner'soffice.

As an authority in forensic dentistry, he lectured in manycountries and took two sabbatical leaves -- one to Papua New Guineaon behalf of the World Health Organization, the other to Melbourne,Australia.

He also began the Bulletin Board for Oral Pathology, an Internetclearinghouse for issues related to oral pathology.

In 1994, the SUNY board of trustees promoted Drinnan to the rankof SUNY distinguished service professor.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, the former Rita Bondolfiof Williamsville; a son, Dr. Michael of San Mateo, Calif.; adaughter, Julia Drinnan-Doran of Williamsville; a sister, PamelaDrinnan of London; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in ButlerAuditorium at the Medical School, on UB's South Campus.

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