Professor David Locker was a distinguished academic leader and influential researcher in dental public health who served as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto. He joined the Faculty in 1985 and dedicated his career to advancing the understanding of oral health within broader health contexts through rigorous scholarly work. Holding a PhD, Dr. Locker established himself as a foremost authority on the connections between oral conditions and quality of life measures, earning recognition across the international dental research community. His administrative leadership as Associate Dean reflected his commitment to excellence in dental education and research methodology. Professor Locker's career was tragically cut short when he passed away on April 22, 2010 after a brief illness, leaving an indelible mark on the field of dentistry.
Dr. Locker pioneered the field of oral health-related quality of life research, authoring more than 250 peer-reviewed papers, presentations, and scholarly works throughout his distinguished career. His seminal research explored how oral diseases and disorders impact aspects of daily living that individuals value, establishing theoretical frameworks that linked biological and psychosocial variables in innovative ways. He developed and validated measurement tools that allowed researchers to systematically investigate the relationship between oral health conditions and quality of life outcomes across diverse populations. His work addressed two fundamental questions: the extent to which oral disorders compromise valued daily activities, and which interventions effectively mitigate these effects to restore quality of life. This research paradigm, now universally recognized as oral health-related quality of life studies, has profoundly reshaped contemporary dental practice and research methodologies worldwide.
Professor Locker's contributions have had a lasting global impact on both clinical dentistry and public health policy, with his conceptual frameworks adopted by dental researchers and practitioners across continents. His intellectual legacy continues to guide how dental professionals assess patient outcomes beyond traditional clinical measures, emphasizing patient-centered care approaches. Beyond his research, Dr. Locker made significant contributions to the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry through thoughtful bequests that enhanced the institution's capacity for advancing dental education and research initiatives. His work laid the foundation for modern approaches to dental care that prioritize quality of life considerations alongside clinical outcomes. The enduring influence of Professor Locker's scholarship ensures his place as a transformative figure in dental public health whose insights continue to shape research agendas and clinical practices internationally.
