The Antigua and Barbuda Dental Association (ABDA) has announced the completion of its leadership transition with the successful election of a new Executive Board, a milestone that leaders say will strengthen the organization’s long-term development and capacity to serve the twin-island nation. The incoming board brings together a mix of seasoned dental practitioners and rising early-career professionals, structured to balance decades of institutional experience with fresh perspective from the next generation of the field.
The full 10-member Executive Board includes a number of key roles, led by continuing President Dr. Deborah Akande and Immediate Past President Dr. Derek Marshall. Rounding out the core leadership team are Vice President Dr. Kronskie Dickenson-Foster, Secretary Dr. Danny Ghazalea, Assistant Secretary Dr. Jessica Fernandez, and Treasurer Dr. Kamal Moursy — the board member who coined the body’s ‘Legacy Board’ label to reflect its intergenerational mission. Two new roles, created as part of sweeping constitutional updates, are filled by Dr. Jahleel Allen as Early Career Dentist representative and Dr. Afi Bello-Williams as Community Liaison Officer. Rounding out the board is Dr. Adonis Mansoor, who will serve as Social Media Chair.
A defining feature of the new leadership structure is its intentional commitment to elevating emerging voices in dentistry: nearly one-third of all board members are under the age of 35, a deliberate shift to integrate younger dental professionals into high-level decision-making. ABDA leadership notes this blended model is designed to preserve decades of accumulated institutional knowledge while unlocking the innovative energy and new ideas that early-career practitioners bring to the table. This balance, leaders expect, will help the association maintain a clear strategic direction, strengthen ties with industry stakeholders and community partners, and better respond to the evolving needs of both dental professionals and the Antigua and Barbuda public.
To formalize this new approach to leadership and outreach, ABDA has approved key updates to its organizational constitution that create two permanent new leadership positions. The Early Career Dentist seat guarantees that the perspectives and professional concerns of younger association members are directly represented at the highest level of governance, while the Community Liaison Officer role will lead the association’s public outreach efforts and ensure the organization remains responsive to community oral health needs.
ABDA’s recent membership in the FDI World Dental Federation has also shaped the organization’s new strategic direction, bringing renewed focus on intergenerational leadership development and alignment with global professional standards. Through this global partnership, ABDA now accesses international best practices for dental care and professional governance, contributes to global policy discussions around oral health, and participates in evidence-driven initiatives to advance the field locally.
Continuing President Dr. Deborah Akande emphasized that the global partnership with FDI has underscored how critical investing in young dental professionals is to the long-term health of the field. ‘We regularly receive guidance, participate in virtual meetings, and develop suggested international initiatives. This exposure has reinforced our commitment to nurturing the next generation of dental leaders. Our new Board is just the beginning,’ Akande said.
Looking ahead, ABDA reaffirmed its core mission: advancing accessible, high-quality oral health across Antigua and Barbuda, upholding rigorous professional standards for the nation’s dentists, and serving the health needs of all people living in the country.