In follow-up to my message to you on April 6, Dr. Jonathan Mayer has asked me to share his apology with all members below. The Board of Directors recognizes that this situation has had a real impact on members, causing hurt, frustration, and concern. We also want to acknowledge and respect that there is a range of deeply held perspectives across the profession.
The ODA stands firmly against discrimination of any kind. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment where all members feel valued, and where differences can be expressed through constructive, civil dialogue. Maintaining trust, unity, and confidence within the Association is critical, and we know that takes consistent effort and accountability.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Brown, Chair, Board of Directors and President
Dear members and staff of the ODA,
I want to formally and unreservedly apologize for my social media activity and the hurt it caused. I had the opportunity to apologize directly to the Board at its recent meetings, and I want to apologize to the membership now. I am truly sorry to all members, to staff, and to those I hurt with my posts.
I now recognize that my posts were offensive, and did not reflect the values of the Ontario Dental Association. I take full responsibility for what I wrote. At the time, I did not fully appreciate the impact of what I was posting. I should have, and I regret that I didn’t. I now understand the impact of my actions and regret any distress or disruption caused, including the distraction this created from the important work of the ODA.
I accept the findings of the independent task force and am fully committed to fulfilling its recommendations. I will dedicate myself to learning from this, and to the education and meaningful dialogue I will undertake in the coming months. I know that this work matters, and I know I have more to learn, and I take it seriously.
I understand that rebuilding trust will take time and consistent effort. I am committed to doing that work by listening, learning, and demonstrating through my actions a genuine respect for all members regardless of their culture, faith, or personal views. I want to be clear that I have respect for Palestinian and Muslim communities, and for people of all backgrounds. I will work to ensure that respect is reflected in how I speak and engage moving forward.
I care deeply about the dental profession and the ODA. For more than 30 years, I have volunteered within organized dentistry. I recognize that I have made mistakes, and I am committed to earning back your trust through my actions. My goal is to support dentists and the organization, so we can move forward together, and continue doing the excellent work we have accomplished for dentistry in Ontario, and for the patients we serve.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jonathan Mayer