The American Prosthodontic SocietyThe American Prosthodontic Society is an international organization of dentists interested in the replacement of lost teeth. It brings together the general practitioner, the specialist, and dental technologist, and sponsors scientific seminars and meetings to broaden their knowledge in this field.
In the days when dentists were still using a foot pumped motor to operate a drill, a forerunner of the American Prosthodontic Society was born. It was 1928 and the site was Minneapolis, MN, at the annual session of the American Dental Association. Seventeen charter members are recorded in the archives of what became known as “The American Full Denture Society.” This was a dedicated group of men who were determined that knowledge and research in this specific field of interest should be shared with others. They pooled resources to hold the first annual meeting of the group in Washington, DC, the following year, 1929 where the first scientific meeting was presented with essayists and clinicians discussing denture problems.
By 1940, the Society had attracted over 100 members but World War II curtailed travel, and organizational difficulties filled its agenda. Overcoming these problems, in 1947, the Society’s reputation became established, interest was widespread, and the membership roster continued to grow. Because of this growth, the members who met in Boston at this time officially changed the organizations name to the “American Denture Society,” to encompass a wider horizon. In 1951, the Society was 1 of the 3 founding members of The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, and pioneered the development of this publication, now circulated worldwide. Time and an increase to 850 members warranted other changes. At the 1961 Philadelphia meeting, the name was again changed, and remains the “American Prosthodontic Society,” with an unlimited scope.
