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ADA Timeline
1840 to 1900 1900 to 1919 1920 to 1929 1930 to 1945 1946 to 1959 1960 to 1979 1980 to Present  
George Washington's Dentures, circa 1798
38 dental schools were accredited in 1946.

1946—The Council on Dental Education evaluates and accredits 38 dental schools.

1948—ADA Constitution and Bylaws are comprehensively revised.

1948—ADA Annual Session Reference Committees are established.

1948—There are nineteen ADA Councils.

1948—The National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) is established.

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.

1951—ADA establishes accreditation programs for postgraduate training and dental laboratory technicians.

1951-1953—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.

1955—ADA lobbies the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish a dental unit.

1956—ADA Headquarters building at 222 Superior Street is expanded and extensively remodeled.

1956—ADA/NBS research team 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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