American College of Dentists

American College of Dentists
Name	American College of Dentists
Founded	0 1920
Founder	William J. Gies
Headquarters	Bethesda, Maryland
Key people	John S. Zapp (Executive Director)
Website	https://www.acd.org

American College of Dentists. Founded in 1920 by William J. Gies, a prominent biochemistry professor at Columbia University, the organization was established to advance excellence, ethics, and professionalism in dentistry. Its creation followed the influential 1926 report "Dental Education in the United States and Canada," often called the Gies Report, which helped shape modern dental education. The College is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, near the National Institutes of Health and the American Dental Association.

History

The founding of the organization was championed by William J. Gies with support from leaders like Henry L. Banzhaf of the Marquette University School of Dentistry. A key catalyst was the 1926 Gies Report, a comprehensive study funded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching that critically evaluated dental school standards across North America. Early inductees included pioneers such as Greene Vardiman Black, known as the father of modern operative dentistry, and Alfred Civilion Fones, the founder of dental hygiene. Throughout the 20th century, the College expanded its influence, establishing formal relationships with the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Organization and governance

Governance is vested in a Board of Regents, which includes officers such as the President, President-Elect, and Vice President. The Board oversees the organization's strategic direction and policies. Day-to-day operations are managed by an Executive Director, a position long held by John S. Zapp. The College is structured into numerous local and regional sections, which operate under the umbrella of the national body and often collaborate with state dental associations. Key committees, such as the Ethics and Professionalism Committee and the Fellowship Affairs Committee, are appointed by the Board of Regents.

Membership and fellowship

Admission is by invitation only, extended to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to dentistry, dental research, dental education, or public service. The fellowship is considered one of the highest honors in the profession. Notable Fellows have included Robert H. Griffiths, a past president of the American Dental Association, and Harold Hillenbrand, a former executive director of the American Dental Association. The nomination process involves a rigorous peer review conducted by existing Fellows, evaluating a candidate's record in areas like leadership within the Academy of Osseointegration or service to organizations like the International College of Dentists.

Activities and programs

The College conducts a wide array of programs focused on ethics, leadership, and professional development. A flagship initiative is the annual Professional Ethics in Dentistry conference, often held in conjunction with the American Dental Association's annual meeting. It also runs the Leadership Institute, a training program for emerging leaders in dentistry. The organization frequently collaborates with entities like the American Student Dental Association to mentor future dentists and partners with the Academy of General Dentistry on continuing education workshops. Many programs are implemented through its local sections across the United States.

Publications and communications

The primary scholarly publication is the Journal of the American College of Dentists, a peer-reviewed periodical featuring articles on ethics, professionalism, and issues in dental practice. The College also publishes the ACD Impact newsletter, which reports on organizational news and member achievements. Official position papers and white papers, such as those on topics like teledentistry or infection control, are disseminated to the dental community. These communications are shared with partners including the American Dental Education Association and the FDI World Dental Federation.

Awards and recognition

The organization bestows several prestigious awards to honor distinguished service. The highest honor is the William John Gies Award, presented for visionary contributions to the profession. Other significant awards include the ACD Distinguished Service Award and the Ethics and Professionalism Award. Recipients have included luminaries like Lester Burket, former dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and Clifton O. Dummett, a celebrated historian of dentistry. These awards are often presented at major events such as the American Dental Association annual session.

Category:American dental organizations Category:Professional associations based in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1920