In Memoriam: Dr. William B. Dragan, Centrix Founder

March 15, 1934 – January 11, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved founder and visionary, Dr. William B. Dragan, who passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025.

Dr. 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, Dr. 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, Dr. 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 Dr. 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. And Dr. Dragan was the inventor or coinventor on some 95 patents and innovations.

At this difficult time, we choose to honor Dr. Dragan’s life and his impact on the world of dentistry. 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.

In 2024, Centrix introduced a special new flavor to the FluoroDose fluoride varnish line – DraganBerry – to celebrate Dr. Dragan’s 90th birthday, his 70+ years in dentistry and 50+ 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, Dr. Dragan remained passionate about dentistry and was in his lab as recently as last month working on new ideas. This entrepreneurial spirit will continue to guide the company as we move forward.

Today, Centrix is a growing company that continues to innovate, with a deep commitment to serving our local community and patients worldwide.  Led by his son, Bill Dragan, President and CEO, Centrix remains dedicated to Dr. Dragan’s commitment of “Making Dentistry Easier”.

Dr. Dragan’s work will continue to inspire us all. 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.

Even in passing, Dr. Dragan looks to the future of dentistry: donations may be made to the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, William B Dragan Endowed Scholarship Fund Temple University – Giving to Temple University – Giving to Temple University  be sure to complete the “My Gift is a Tribute” section. Or to give by mail, send with your 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”.