St. Louis Dental Society

The St. Louis Dental Society was founded in 1856, marking the beginning of organized dentistry in the state of Missouri. The founders were Henry Barron, Sylvanus Dunham, Isaiah Forbes, H.J. McKellops, and Henry E. Peebles. Dunham was the first president. The society was incorporated and chartered by the state of Missouri in 1882. Its charter from the Missouri State Dental Association made it a component of the Missouri Dental Association and the American Dental Association. The St. Louis Dental Society became the Greater St. Louis Dental Society in 1960. Its purpose is to serve the dental needs of St. Louis by promoting public health through service and education.

A committee to organize the Dentists' Scientific and Benevolent Association (aka Dentists' Mutual Aid Association of America) was formed July 12, 1883, at a meeting of the Missouri State Dental Association. The committee of R.J. Pearson and S.B. Prevost was empowered to draft a constitution and by-laws and call the first meeting. The organizational meeting's initial aim was the formation of an aid association among the members of the dental profession "to serve for the mutual protection of its members and in case of death to secure to the widows and orphans of its members such pecuniary aid as would place them beyond ... immediate want." The objects of the organization in its consitution and by-laws were broader: "to contribute to the elevation of the dental profession; to facilitate and secure a more extended acquaintance among the members thereof; to advance the standard of professional attainment; to promote the usefulness, honor, and interests of its members, and provide for the relief and aid of their families, widows, orphans, or other dependents." Members were dentists of the United States at any level of an organized dental society or any person engaged in the capacity of manufacturer, dealer, or salesman of dental instruments or material. The principal office of the association was in Kansas City, Missouri. Among the charter members from St. Louis were W.H. Eames and Alex Heburn but most of the charter members were from Kansas City.

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