ADA Forms Research Partnership with NBS to Develop Standards for Dental Materials

Originally called the ADA Research Commission, the name was later changed to the Paffenbarger Research Center, and then recently renamed the ADA Foundation Volpe Research Center (VRC). Groundbreaking inventions that have emerged from this partnership include the panoramic X-ray machine, the high-speed handpiece, resin composite filling materials and dental bonding systems. The National Bureau of Standards is now known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Today, NIST and the VRC continue the tradition of performing groundbreaking dental materials research and transferring scientific advances from the bench to the clinic.

First Annual Meeting of the IADR

Although there were only four local sections in existence at this point the meeting It was well attended, but a bit meager in its scientific content — only two papers were presented, in contrast to the thousands that are presented at more recent General Sessions.

The Foundation of the IADR

He contacted 100 of the leading dentists in New York City to begin forming the first chapter in what was then the largest city in the United States. The first dinner meeting took place on December 10, 1920, at the Columbia University Club, with the intent to “consider the advisability of promoting research by an international organization.” At that meeting, a Chairman and Secretary were selected and the initial Articles of Agreement were adopted.