The History of the
Akron Dental Society
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Dr. Israel
E. Carter |
Akron became an incorporated village in
1836 with a population of 1343 people. In 1843, Dr. Israel E.
Carter became Akron's first resident dentist. By 1887, Akron had
a population of over 10,000 people with 12 dentists. These
dentists formed a professional organization which was the precursor to
today's Akron Dental Society.
The Akron Dental Society members were
among the first dentists to work directly with local industries.
Company dental clinics were formed with Diamond Match Company in 1899;
Firestone and BF Goodrich in 1915 and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
in 1918. These dentists, besides providing dental care to
company employees also researched the effects of the factory
environment on the employees health.
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|
Dr. John W.
Lyder |
Dr. Lawrence Graham and Dr. Arthur
Heibert organized Children's Dental Health Week in 1941. This
program, which spotlighted children's dental needs, expanded to a
statewide program in 1947 and was adopted nationally by the American
Dental Association in 1949.
Fluoridation of Akron's water supply
was introduced in 1968. Members who led the fluoridation battle
included Dr. Harold E. Barlow, who reported to council that
fluoridation was approved by all local and state authorities, and Dr.
James Mercer who became the chairman of Akron citizens for Fluoridation
Committee. Fluoridation was also supported by Dr. John D.
Morley, Akron City Health Director and Walter C. Kraatz, Ph.D. who
researched and supported the cause.
Akron Dental Society members have a
long history of providing leadership with in the Akron community and also
within our state and national organizations. We are proud
to have seven members serve as President of the Ohio Dental
Association.
We honor our past presidents:
- Dr. Frank
M. Purcell, O.S.D.A., 1936
- Dr. Arthur C.
Heibert, O.S.D.A., 1953
- Dr. Dr. Harold
E. Barlow, O.S.D.A., 1966
- Dr. James F.
Mercer, O.D.A., 1975
- Dr. Irvin N.
Kaplan, O.D.A., 1990
- Dr. John H.
Gerstemaier, Jr. , O.D.A., 1994
- Dr. Joseph T.
Mellion, O.D.A., 2004
Our members are dedicated to the
profession of dentistry and will continue to serve as leaders in our
community to support dentistry on a local, state and national level.
