SINGAPORE/BENSHEIM, Germany: International dental manufacturers (idm) has awarded Jiro Masuda from J. Morita Corporation with a lifetime achievement award for his decade-long contribution to idm and other organisations. The award was presented to Masuda by idm Immediate Past President Milly Goldstein, Dental Trade Alliance, at a joint idm/FDI executive meeting during the FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Singapore. Masuda received a special award by idm in 2001 already.

Tokyo-born Masuda, who currently holds a consultant position at J. Morita, has been with the company for almost 50 years. In 1960, he joined the Japanese dental manufacturer to establish an export section overseas and became the first manager of J. Morita’s US Liaison Office in Los Angeles. From 1988 to 1998, he served as Executive Director for the International Division and the Consumables Division in Japan.

Masuda has also served as a member of the Standing Committee on Relations between the Profession, Trade and Industry of the FDI World Dental Federation and as a representative of the idm General Assembly of the Japan Dental Trade Association. He is currently involved in organisations such as the Japan Research Council on Dental Products and the Japan Federation of Medical Devices Associations.