This is what we know for certain. Black dentists in the United States were barred from membership in the American Dental Association (ADA). With the merger of two principal groups, purposed to represent all American dentists, the American Dental Association established in 1856, and the smaller Southern Dental Association (est. 1862), suddenly adopted the name National Dental Association. In 1922, the name was changed back to the American Dental Association. But in truth, neither the so called “American” nor “National” Dental Association of that time fully represented “all” American dentists. The dental profession of the day was held hostage to the prevailing customs throughout the nation regarding racial distinction in membership acceptance. African American dentists were not welcomed into the local or national organizations. Thus, to secure scientific, professional and social outlets, the germination and expansion of small minority societies mushroomed. Out of this slow, deliberate process, on the state level, the Alabama Dental Society (ADS) was formed. After the establishment of the Washington Society of Colored Dentists of the District of Columbia (Robert T. Freeman) with enormous success, Black dentists in the state of Alabama were faced with a need to organize and tend to the business of dentistry.  In 1919, in order to include all Black dentists in the state and facilitate ongoing representation and activities, the Alabama Dental Society was formed and ADS soon divided its membership into 4 zones each of which was identified by name. The Northern Alabama group comprised Zone 1; The Jefferson County Dental Study Club comprised Zone 2; the Montgomery Dental Society comprised Zone 3 and the Mobile Dental Study Club comprised Zone 4.

Previously, most Alabama Black dentists belonged to multiprofessional associations, which were formed in the day to enable Black health professionals such as physicians, pharmacists, researchers and dentists to interact and form a sense of camaraderie and belonging. One such society was the Clinical Society of the John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama.  Formed on February 21, 1913, the Clinical Society brought together all of the health providers in the immediate rural environs in order to better serve the needs of a disadvantage population. In 1936, the Clinical Society sponsored a dental section that maintained unofficial relations with the Alabama Dental Society (ADS). ADS would participate with the Clinical Society annual dental sessions whom presented some well-known clinicians and attended by Black and White dentists across the state.  The ADS would soon have a powerful membership in its ranks, which included every Black dentist in the state of Alabama. With this large membership, (about 40 dentists) came an enormous responsibility making sure that each dentists received protections, prerogatives and privileges that an ADA membership afforded Caucasian members. The ADS sponsored annually dental scientific meetings and was on the forefront of inevitable change. In 1953, the new school of dentistry at the University of Alabama in Birmingham was the site of many scientific sessions convened by the Alabama Dental Society, now an NDA affiliate. This particular annual meeting featured UAB faculty members as well as clinicians from Meharry Medical College. This breakthrough in the south’s rigid segregation laws was facilitated by the Dean Joseph Volker who supported the original request from ADS President Dr. J.L. Cashin and program Director Dr. Electa Green.

The Alabama Dental Society over the years has continued to address the professional needs of its members.  By supporting the NDA and the SNDA at UAB, the ADS have developed a unique interaction with both entities. Offering scholarships to qualified SNDA members as well as being very supportive of UAB’s minority students has been a staple of the society.  In addition to being the NDA state affiliate in Alabama, gives the national organization a special insight into the needs of the Alabama Black dentist.

We are the Alabama Dental Society. Welcome to our history page.   Reference  Dummett and Dummett  NDAII