In memoriam: Hal Alan Huggins, DDS, MS.

Dr. Hal Huggins passed away peacefully at his Colorado Springs home on November 29, 2014. He was 77.

Dr. Huggins rightfully earned the title of "elder statesman" of holistic dentistry. He is also known as a leading pioneer and the "grandfather" of identifying and treating medical problems caused by toxic dental materials.

Dr. Huggins received his DDS degree over 50 years ago at the University of Nebraska and practiced for decades in Colorado Springs. Continuing his education in 1990, he received his postdoctoral master's degree from the University of Colorado, with an emphasis on immunology and toxicology.

He presented over 2500 lectures in 47 of the US states and 16 foreign countries. He authored many books, wrote over 50 articles, and gave over 1000 radio/television interviews, including 60 Minutes Australia (1989) and 60 Minutes New Zealand (2007).

As founder of the Multi-Discipline Alliance of Professionals, he ensured continuing education for dentists desiring to learn the Huggins dental protocol. Training includes helping patients avoid and recover from ailments caused by harmful dental procedures.

He devoted his last years to establishing the Huggins Applied Healing center (www.drhuggins. com), but his greatest passion was the recent formation of the Dental DNA laboratory (www.dentaldna.us). This sophisticated facility specializes in the detection of dangerous, disease-causing DNA that resides within root canals, cavitations, implants, and other oral environments.

Dr. Huggins was a caring and sensitive man who dedicated his life's work to helping humanity. He was loved by his patients, professional colleagues, and staff for his compassion, generosity, and willingness to give of himself.

His greatest joy was helping those on their quest to recover from the many degenerative diseases caused by silver (mercury) fillings and heavy metal toxicity from other dental materials.

He is survived by three children, David Huggins and Chip Elizabeth of Colorado, and Holden "Denny" Conover of Alaska; two grandchildren, Patricia and Michael Conover; and one great-grandchild.

Donations in his memory may be sent to the Toxic Element Research Foundation (TERF), 5082 List Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919.