Mission - Old Dominion Dental Society

In the early 19th century, there was a great need for dentists to organize themselves and tend to things that concerned them. The American Dental Association was established on the premise of guarding prerogatives and interests of legitimate dental practitioners. Protection for the profession was needed to protect against charlatans that were out to trick the general public about oral health practices. However, the ADA of the past did not fully represent “all” American dentists. The dental profession succumbed to the prevailing customs throughout the nation in regards to racial differences, thus excluding African American dentists’ membership in local and national societies. Out of this disappointment and rejection, small minority societies came into existence to address and secure scientific, professional and social outlets for its members. One of the forerunners of these small minority societies that came into existence was the establishment of The Old Dominion State Dental Society (ODSDS) known today as ODDS. The Old Dominion Dental Society was formed in Virginia by liked-minded dentists that felt a need to establish and develop a sense of camaraderie and fellowship amongst its members. All African American dentists of this era practicing in the state of Virginia joined the ODDS.

The Old Dominion Dental Society was formed in Virginia by liked-minded dentists that felt a need to establish and develop a sense of camaraderie and fellowship amongst its members. All African American dentists of this era practicing in the state of Virginia joined the ODDS.

The ODDS was originally established as a source for continuing education classes in which members would meet annually at different locations throughout Virginia and attend lectures pertinent to the field of dentistry. However, what did occur from the construction of this organization proved to be more phenomenal. The ODDS became an entity for Black health professionals to meet and encourage each other in the profession. Emerging from this organization were community leaders, successful business persons, distinguished military individuals, Board of Dentistry Presidents and NAACP leaders. The ODDS has been the vehicle for much success for its members and has sustained itself for nearly 100 years. The ODDS, along with Robert T. Freeman Dental Society and a handful of Black dentists from Maryland was also instrumental in the formation of a single multi-regional organization of African American Dentists that later became known as the National Dental Association.

The current ODDS has begun to reinvent itself, searching for the newly graduated African American dentist and bestowing on their membership the remarkable history and tradition of our great organization. The ODDS gave a sense of purpose to its members as well as to the profession of dentistry. This purpose was redefined throughout the years conveying to the public at large the personification of excellence and perseverance of this great organization and its members.