Dr. William B. Dragan, an innovator in the dental industry who founded Centrix in 1970 from his home and under whose stewardship the enterprise grew into a thriving company with a mission to “make dentistry easier,” passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025, the company announced.
“At this difficult time, we choose to honor Dr. Dragan’s life and his impact on the world of dentistry,” a tribute on the Centrix website reads. “His legacy will live on in Centrix, and it is one of innovation, perseverance, and a commitment to making a difference in the world of dentistry. He has touched many lives — the Centrix family, colleagues and friends, and countless individuals around the world who received better health because of his innovations, his persistence and his orneriness. But first and foremost, he was a father, husband, and mentor who shaped a company that will continue to live on in his name.”
“Dr. Dragan passed peacefully, deservedly, on his own terms, and we will continue to honor him with our work,” the tribute reads.
Centrix describes the lifelong accomplishments of its leader as follows:
William B. Dragan was born in 1934 to Vasily and Mary Dragan in Bridgeport, Connecticut. From a young age, he showed a deep curiosity and passion for engineering, influenced by his father, who believed that to succeed in the US was to choose the right profession with “dentist” being at the top of the list. Following his role model and cousin Vladimir, also a dentist, Dragan enrolled at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry and graduated in 1958. After first practicing dentistry in the United States Air Force, and then in private practice, Dragan’s passion for engineering grew and he sought ways to make dentistry easier for both practitioners and patients.
In the 1960s, dental composites were introduced, and Dragan saw there was no means to effectively place these materials. His creativity and determination led him to patent the first Composite Resin (CR) syringe delivery system. In 1970, he decided to start his own company, and Centrix was born. Since its establishment, Centrix has grown to become a leader in the field of dentistry worldwide, improving the quality of care for millions of patients and always focusing on making dentistry easier for dental professionals. Dragan was the inventor or coinventor on some 95 patents and innovations.
In 2024, Centrix introduced a special new flavor to the FluoroDose fluoride varnish line — DraganBerry — to celebrate Dragan’s 90th birthday, his 70-plus years in dentistry, and his 50-plus years of Centrix. The new flavor was also a tribute to his Polish roots, recalling berry treats his family used to enjoy in Klopotnica, a small village in southeastern Poland.
Even in his later years, Dragan remained passionate about dentistry and was in his lab as recently as December 2024, working on new ideas, the company said.
“This entrepreneurial spirit will continue to guide the company as we move forward,” the tribute from Centrix reads.
Today, Centrix is a growing company that continues to innovate, with a deep commitment to serving its local community and patients worldwide, the company said. Led by Dragan’s son, Bill Dragan, president and CEO, Centrix remains dedicated to Dragan’s commitment of “making dentistry easier,” the company said.
“Dr. Dragan’s work will continue to inspire us all,” the company said. “He lived with purpose, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of dentistry and beyond. We celebrate his life, his contributions and the impact he had on so many.”
Tax-deductible donations in Dragan’s name may be made online, to the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, William B Dragan Endowed Scholarship Fund, by clicking here. When contributing online, be sure to complete the “My Gift is a Tribute” section. Contributions can also be made by mail, by sending a check payable to Temple University, to Temple University, Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 2890, New York, NY, 10116-2890. Please specify the gift is to the “William B. Dragan Endowed Scholarship Fund.”
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Dr. William B. Dragan
