Presidents & History of the ADA
The first president of the American Dental Association was William Henry Atkinson (1815–1891). He served the ADA from 1860-1861 and again from 1861-1862. Atkinson originally trained as a physician, but later became interested in dentistry and the opportunities it offered at that time for a young man starting a practice.
Since its founding in 1859, there have been 157 presidents of the American Dental Association. Each of these individuals represented some of the best in the profession and the list of ADA presidents reads as a who's who of the history of dentistry. Among the better known are G. V. Black and Thomas Hinman.
ADA Presidents
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1860-1880
1860-1880
1860-62
William H. Atkinson
1864-65
John H. McQuillen
1865-66
Christopher W. Spalding
1870-71
William H. Morgan
1871-72
George H. Cushing
1872-73
Phineas G. C. Hunt
1873-74
Thomas L. Buckingham
1875-76
Aaron L. Northrop
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1880-1900
1880-1900
1882-83
William H. Goddard
1885-86
William C. Barrett
1886-87
Walter W. Allport
1887-88
Dr. Frank Abbot, of New York City, was elected twenty- seventh president of the Association at the 1887 meeting at Niagara Falls.
1888-89
Charles R. Butler
1889-90
Matthew W. Foster
1891-92
William W. Walker
1892-94
John D. Patterson
1894-96
James Y. Crawford
1897-98
Thomas Fillebrown
1898-99
Harvey J. Burkhart
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1900-1920
1900-1920
1902-03
Llewellyn G. Noel
1903-04
Charles C. Chittenden
1904-05
Waldo E. Boardman
1910-11
Edward S. Gaylord
1911-12
Arthur R. Melendy
1916-17
Lafayette L. Barber
1917-18
William H. G. Logan
1918-19
Clement V. Vignes
1919-20
John V. B. Conzett
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1920-1940
1920-1940
1920-21
H. Edmund Friesell
1921-22
Thomas B. Hartzell
1923-24
William A. Giffen
1924-25
Charles N. Johnson
1925-26
Sheppard W. Foster
1927-28
Roscoe H. Volland
1932-33
George W. Dittmar
1935-36
George B. W. Winter
1936-37
Leroy M. S. Miner
1937-38
C. Willard Camalier
1939-40
Arthur H. Merritt
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1940-1960
1940-1960
1940-41
Wilfred H. Robinson
1944-46
Walter H. Scherer
1947-48
Harvey B. Washburn
1952-53
Otto W. Brandhorst
1953-54
Leslie M. Fitzgerald
1955-56
Bernard C. Kingsbury
1957-58
William R. Alstadt
1958-59
Percy T. Phillips
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1960-1980
1960-1980
1960-61
Charles H. Patton
1962-63
Gerald D. Timmons
1966-67
William A. Garrett
1967-68
F. Darl Ostrander
1968-69
Hubert A. McGuirl
1972-73
Louis A. Saporito
1973-74
Carlton H. Williams
1974-75
Lynden M. Kennedy
1978-79
Joseph P. Cappuccio
1979-1980
I. Lawrence Kerr
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1980-2000
1980-2000
1981-82
Robert H. Griffiths
1983-84
Donald E. Bentley
1987-88
James A. Saddoris
1989-90
R. Malcolm Overbey
1991-92
Geraldine T. Morrow
1994-95
Richard W. D’Eustachio
1995-96
William S. Ten Pas
1996-97
A. Gary Rainwater
1999-00
Richard F. Mascola
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2000-Present
2000-Present
2000-01
Robert M. Anderton
2001-02
D. Gregory Chadwick
2004-05
W. Richard Haught
2005-06
Robert M. Brandjord
2009-10
Ronald L. Tankersley
2011-12
William R. Calnon
2012-2013
Robert A. Faiella
2013-14
Charles H. Norman III
ADA History
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Foundation and Formation 1859-1909
1859-1909
1859
Twenty-six dentists meet in Niagara Falls, New York to form a professional society called the American Dental Association composed of a national representative membership of dentists and dedicated to promoting high professional standards and scientific research.
1860
ADA adopts its first Constitution and Bylaws.
1861
ADA’s annual meeting is cancelled due to the onset of the U.S. Civil War.
1866
ADA adopts its first Code of Ethics.
1897
ADA merges with the Southern Dental Association and changes name to the National Dental Association. The Association’s original name is restored in 1922.
1899
ADA membership policies are revised to expand the organization and attract members.
1907
The ADA Relief Fund is established for the use of dentists who may find themselves in need because of natural or man-made disaster. The Fund originated with the San Francisco Dental Relief Committee, which formed to raise money to help dentists who were caught in the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906.
1908
ADA publishes its first patient dental education pamphlet. The pamphlet instructs patients on proper oral hygiene recommending brushing teeth at least twice daily, flossing regularly and twice a year dentist visits.
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Growth and Development 1910-1935
1910-1935
1910
ADA joins the Dental Education Council of America, the national organization of dental faculties, to collaborate in unifying standards for the educational requirements of dentists and the accreditation of dental schools.
1912
ADA adopts a new Constitution and Bylaws (effective 1913), establishing the House of Delegates, the Board of Trustees and the tripartite membership structure. The Board of Trustees holds its first meeting in July 1913.
1913
- The Journal of the American Dental Association is first published under the title, Bulletin of the National Dental Association.
- ADA Relief Fund annual seal fund raising campaign is established. Specially made stamps are distributed as premiums for donations to the Fund 1913-1984 raising millions of dollars for dental practitioners in need due to disaster, accident or illness.
1918
The Association’s first Central Office is established in a building on North Dearborn Street in Chicago. The office is relocated to North Wabash Avenue in 1922 and to East Washington Street in 1925.
1922
The Association assumes its original name, the American Dental Association, and is incorporated.
1927
ADA establishes a Library at its central office to collect and make readily available all the published information of interest to the dental profession and its membership.
1928
ADA establishes a cooperative research program at the National Board of Standards. The unit is given the name Paffenbarger Research Center in 1985.
1929
- ADA has 30,000 members.
- One-third of ADA members' dues is earmarked for dental research.
- The Journal of the American Dental Association is the leading publication in dental literature.
- ADA Annual Session meets in Washington, DC, just 20 days before the stock market crash.
1930
- ADA has more than 36,000 members, representing about half of U.S. dentists, and 85% of the market share by the end of the 1940s.
- ADA Council of Dental Therapeutics is established to oversee the evaluation of dental products (later merged with other councils to become Council on Scientific Affairs).
1931
- ADA Council of Dental Therapeutics establishes the ADA's Seal Program and awards the first ADA Seal of Approval to a brand of cod liver oil recommended as a food supplement to promote strong teeth and healthy gums.
- ADA establishes its first permanent headquarters building when it relocates its Central Office from rented space to a building it purchased at 212 East Superior Street, Chicago.
1934
- ADA adopts policies of social principle and ventures into a project with the U.S. Public Health Service to give dental examinations to 1.5 million children in 26 states.
- ADA president Dr. C. Willard Camalier addresses political and military issues, and recommends the establishment of a Washington D.C. office.
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Coming of Age 1936-1959
1936-1959
1936
ADA Council on Dental Education is formed to oversee the educational standards of dental professionals and the accreditation of dental schools and educational programs.
1940
Under Roosevelt's "Good Neighbor" policy, the ADA extends Annual Session invitations to Latin America, Mexico, and Canada.
1941
- Cleveland Dental Society establishes National Children's Dental Health Day. The observance becomes a national observance under the auspices of the ADA in 1949.
- During WWII, ADA secures preferential purchase of automobiles, gasoline and dental supplies for civilian dentists.
1942
Harold Hillenbrand joins the ADA staff as assistant editor of JADA. He becomes the Secretary of the ADA (the position known as Executive Director today) in 1946 and holds the position for the next two decades, retiring at the end of 1969. During his tenure as Secretary/Executive Director Dr. Hillenbrand leads the ADA in becoming one of the premier professional organizations in the world, during a period of the greatest growth and development that the dental profession has ever known.
1943
ADA headquarters moves to a larger building at 222 Superior Street in Chicago.
1946
ADA Council on Dental Education has evaluated and accredited 38 dental schools.
1947
ADA officially recognizes the dental specialties of Oral Surgery and Periodontics, the first specialties to be recognized by the Association.
1948
- ADA officially recognizes the dental specialties of Pediatric Dentistry and Prosthodontics.
- ADA Constitution and Bylaws are comprehensively revised.
- ADA Annual Session Reference Committees are established.
- There are nineteen ADA Councils
1949
The first National Children’s Dental Health Day under the auspices of the ADA is observed. The observance is extended to a week in 1955 and then to a month in 1981. In 1950 the ADA works with Congress to proclaim February 6 as National Children's Dental Health Day.
1950
- ADA endorses fluoridation.
- ADA officially recognizes the dental specialties of Oral Pathology and Orthodontics.
1951
- ADA officially recognizes the dental specialty of Dental Public Health
- ADA establishes accreditation programs for postgraduate training and dental laboratory technicians.
- At the invitation of the Japanese government with U.S. Defense Department approval, the ADA sends a delegation to Japan to assist in its WWII reconstruction. The delegation inspects dental schools and services, participates in several conferences, presents lectures and attends social functions during the visit.
1951-53
Dr. Robert J. Nelsen, principle member of the ADA sponsored research unit at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), develops the first successful, operable high-speed contra-angle hand piece powered through a turbine (the forerunner of the modern hand-piece in current use).
1952
ADA establishes accreditation program for dental hygienists.
1955
- ADA expands the National Children's Dental Health Day to a week and; develops TV advertisements and scripts.
- ADA lobbies the World Health Organization to establish a dental unit.
1956
- ADA Headquarters building at 222 Superior Street is expanded and extensively remodeled.
- The ADA sponsored research unit at the National Bureau of Standards develops panoramic x-ray equipment and develops glass-filled resin composites, revolutionizing dental restorative materials.
1959
ADA celebrates its 100th Anniversary. The commemoration culminates at the Annual Session held in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Approximately 55,000 attend. The Session is opened to representatives of the world’s dental organizations and schools. The U.S. Post Office issues a special stamp in commemoration of the anniversary.
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20th Century Ends 1960-1999
1960-1999
1960
- ADA enhances members' insurance programs.
- ADA lobbies on public health issues including Medicaid and Medicare.
1961
- ADA first appropriates funds to assist in the re-training and licensing of Cuban dentists in exile.
- Representatives from the ADA participate in the United States Dental Exchange Mission. The group travels throughout the Soviet Union meeting with dentists and touring dental facilities and schools. As part of the Mission, dentists from the U. S. S. R. also travel to the United States and visit ADA headquarters.
1962
ADA establishes accreditation program for dental assistants.
1963
- ADA lobbies in support of the Health Professions Education Assistance Act; one-third of the funds are reserved for dental education activities.
- ADA officially recognizes the dental specialty of Endodontics.
1964
- ADA breaks ground and begins construction on the headquarters building at 211 East Chicago Avenue.
- ADA Health Screening Program is first established at Annual Session.
- ADA produces the first color television public service announcement by a non-profit health agency.
- ADA establishes the ADA Health Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization for the purpose of engaging in dental health research and educational programs.
1965
- ADA headquarters building at 211 East Chicago Avenue is completed and staff moves there in November. The building is dedicated in 1966 with a gala banquet.
- ADA moves National Bureau of Standards testing and certification programs to its newly built headquarters building in Chicago; two floors of the new building are devoted to laboratory facilities for the Research Institute.
1966
ADA Council on Dental Materials and Devices is established (name changed in 1979 to the Council on Dental Materials, Instruments, and Equipment and later merged with other councils to become Council on Scientific Affairs).
1969
Family sculpture, created by Minnesota artist, Joseph O’Connell, is installed in the west court of the ADA headquarters building.
1970
ADA News is first published.
1971
ADA’s Salable Materials program introduces Dudley the Dragon to teach children proper oral health care. Dudley is featured first in a comic book and then, in the following year, in an animated short film.
1977
- Court battle with Federal Trade Commission leads the ADA to revise its Code of Conduct & Principles of Ethics relating to advertising.
1978
- The ADA Council structure is reorganized.
- ADA Council on Dental Practice is established.
1979
- ADA budgets for national print and television test marketing.
- ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation is established.
- ADA proposes to acquire a permanent location for its Washington, D.C., office.
1980
- ADA Division of Membership and Marketing Services is established.
- ADA Health Foundation receives first royalty payment for the use of a patent on composite material.
1982
An ADA for-profit subsidiary is established.
1984
ADA Washington DC office purchase agreement is signed.
1985
The dental research unit at the National Bureau of Standards is named the Paffenbarger Research Center in honor of Dr. George C. Paffenbarger (the unit’s director for its first fifty years) in recognition of his many contributions to the improvement of dental health care. During his tenure at the unit, Dr. Paffenbarger was instrumental in the development of the high-speed contra-angle handpiece, panoramic x-ray and composite restoration materials.
1986
ADA launches National Senior Smile Week to promote the importance of good oral hygiene and dental health to older adults.
1987
ADA Commission on the Young Professional is formed (later becomes the New Dentist Committee).
1990
Dudley the Dinosaur in the animated film Dudley Visits the Dentist, to teach children good oral health care. Many dentists, dental team members, and their families have met Dudley at ADA Annual Sessions and other events in his role of ambassador for the profession.
1991
- Dr. Geraldine Morrow is elected the first woman president of the ADA.
- Dues Equity Plan revises the membership dues structure.
- ADA implements an Association-wide Quality Improvement Program.
1992
- Strategic Planning Committee tackles a variety of issues. ADA leadership addresses needs of women and minority dentists.
- ADA sponsors a Licensure Conference.
- ADA continues aggressive legislative/legal efforts against Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
1993
- Dr. Kay F. Thompson is elected the first woman trustee of the ADA to serve the 3rd District representing the state of Pennsylvania.
- ADA Councils on Communication and Membership are established.
1994
ADA Health Foundation broadens its mission to include dental research, education and access programs.
1995
ADA Web site, ADA ONLINE is launched, later becomes ADA.org.
1995-2008
ADA headquarters building is extensively remodeled (including new carpeting, walls, electrical wiring and furniture) culminating in complete renovation of the lobby.
1999
ADA House of Delegates amends the Constitution and Bylaws to add the Treasurer as an elective officer of the Association.
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A New Millennium Begins 2000-2014
2000-2014
2000
The ADA Legal Adviser becomes the first ADA print publication to be offered to members online only.
2001
- Full text version of the Journal of American Dental Association becomes available in electronic format.
- ADA officially recognizes the dental specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.
2003
- Dr. Eugene Sekiguchi is elected the first American-Asian president of the ADA.
- ADA Health Foundation merges with the ADA Relief Fund, ADA Endowment & Assistance Fund, Inc. and ADA Emergency Fund, Inc. and is renamed ADA Foundation.
- First Give Kids A Smile® day is held as part of National Children’s Dental Health Month.
2005
- Dr. Kathleen Roth is elected the second woman president of the ADA.
- ADA and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University team up to offer an Executive Management Program for dental professionals.
2006
- Family sculpture located in the west court of the headquarters building is temporarily removed and stored off-site while the lobby is renovated.
- ADA Foundation launches Our Legacy—Our Future, the nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Foundation to raise awareness of the needs of dental education.
- ADA Professional Product Review is launched to assist dentists with product selection for their practices.
- ADA Foundation leads a major relief effort to aid dentist victims of Hurricane Katrina
2007
- ADA launches its Oral Longevity™ initiative, a multi-faceted three-year campaign to address the oral health needs of older adults.
- ADA Library celebrates its eightieth year of service to ADA members.
2009
- Dr. Kathleen O’Loughlin becomes the first female executive director of the ADA.
- ADA celebrates the 150th anniversary of its founding.
- Dr. Raymond Gist is elected the first African-American president of the ADA.
2012
- The ADA launches of its consumer website, Mouth Healthy, which is designed to provide patients with timely and credible oral health information on prevention, care and treatment in a highly engaging user experience.
- The ADA Center for Professional Success is established.
2013
- 2013 The ADA Practice Institute is established to provide input on programs, products and services to help ADA-members better operate their dental practices.
- 2013 The Journal of the American Dental Association commemorates its 100th anniversary.
- 2013 Action for Dental Health: Dentists Making a Difference, a nationwide campaign addressing America's dental health crisis is launched.
2014
- 2014 Dr. Maxine Feinberg is installed as ADA President and Dr. Carol Summerhays is chosen ADA President-Elect making this the first time both positions are held by women.
- 2014 The Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition is established to oversee the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program.