ACADEMY HISTORY AND DEVELOPEMENT

The Academy of Dentistry International is the concept of Albert Wasserman, D.D.S., of San Mateo, California, U.S.A. This transnational organization is devoted to the advancement of dentistry throughout the world and to the elevation of dental standards by continuing education. Along with the sponsorship of dental education and service projects, this Academy directly aids in the improvement of the dental and oral health and well-being of people worldwide.

This international, honorific Academy for dentists, dedicated to sharing knowledge and worldwide fellowship, officially began on October 17, 1974. It is incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of California. The first fellowships were conferred upon the organizing officers in 1975. The first international meeting and convocation was held on May 14, 1976, at the Palais de la Méditerranée in Nice, France. This occasion also marked the founding of the European Section of the Academy.

The Philippine Section was chartered in Manila on February 10, 1977, the Southeast Asia Section (Asian-Pacific) on March 26, 1981 in Singapore. Japan became a section on June 23 and Canada on September 28, 1985. The South America Section and Central America Section were chartered on October 28, 1987. The Australasia Section on May 14, 1988. To date, the Academy over 2,200 fellows that reside in over 55 countries. Counties within these Sections have formed Chapters. Each Section has 1 or more Regents (depending upon the number of Fellows over 100). These along with the President, President-elect, the three Vice Presidents and the Executive Director constitute the Academy's governing body, the Board of Regents.

In the United States the Academy's annual business meeting and convocation precede and take place in the city of the Annual Session of the American Dental Association. As an affiliate member of the Fédération Dentaire Internationale, the Academy will conduct a convocation ceremony at the site of its Annual World Dental Congress, the Canadian Dental Association and other major international and national dental meetings.

A forum for the "exchange of knowledge" was established in early 1975 with the first "journal" of the Academy now titled the INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATOR. As this exchange developed, programs of seminars, tours, local and national/chapter meetings, international tape , textbook, and journals exchanges were begun. Humanitarian and service projects along with the collection and distribution of used and useable dental and medical equipment were initiated as a natural consequence of this crossing of international boundaries. The Academy of Dentistry International is an associate member of Health Volunteers Overseas.

Academy Fellows and other outstanding clinicians constitute the Academy's international continuing education faculty. Family members are also encouraged to accompany these continuing education tour groups and patient care service projects. Clinicians and lecturers give freely of their time and at their own personal expense. Local, national, section and central office funds and ADI Foundation grants may also be available to off-set in part some of these expenses.

Most recently, the Academy sponsored and supported continuing education programs in Uruguay, S.R. Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and Lithuania. Other projects and programs were initiated for Cambodia, Myanmar and the Fiji Islands under the co-sponsorship of the Australasia Section with other Faculty and Student exchange initiatives

Earlier (1992) the Asian Pacific Section, in coordination with the USA Section, funded the travel expenses of a Fellow who lectured at continuing education programs in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

The Academy co-sponsored the scientific program for the first International Dental Congress and Expodent in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on January 7-9, 1994. This major Southeast Asian scientific program and trade exhibition was the first to take place in this country.

The Europe, Middle East and Africa Section co-sponsored an International Dental Congress and Expodent in Vilnius, Lithuania on June 5-8, 1997 along with the Lithuanian Dental Association. Again a "first" for that developing country.

In 1980 the Academy established an awards protocol to recognize conspicuous and meritorious service to the dental profession. The current awards are: The International Dentist of the Year, the Humanitarian Award, the Award of Distinction and the Hillenbrand Award. As appropriate, Honorary Fellowships (for dentists and non-dentists) are conferred as well as other sectional awards. In 1995 the Academy of Dentistry International established the ADI-Miyahara Clinical Dentistry Research Award.

Named for the late ADI past President Dr. Atsumu Miyahara of Osaka Japan, a prize of US$ 2,000 and certificate is presented every two years to the Dentist, Graduate or Post Graduate student who submitted the best clinical research project. This is a major international research prize.

In 1985, the Academy of Dentistry International Foundation was incorporated. This nonprofit (tax deductible) foundation was formed to fund humanitarian and other services and initiatives. Presently, the Academy's Foundation takes an active part in several projects caring for children with maxillofacial disfigurements among the rural poor of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Region and elsewhere where individual dentists "volunteer". The Foundation started a video tape and text book exchange in 1988 for use in the dental schools of developing and other countries.

Fellowship in the Academy of Dentistry International is bestowed on dentists whose professional, civic, and related accomplishments are truly outstanding. Candidates for fellowship must have earned their dental degree at least five years prior to nomination. The completed biographical profiles must be endorsed by a Fellow of the Academy and approved by the respective area regent and the Credentials Committee.

Upon final approval and payment of the specified fellowship fee, the nominee becomes a Fellow-elect with a reservation to attend the induction ceremony reception and luncheon or dinner.

For more information about or to participate in the activities of the prestigious international dental Academy, its Foundation and application forms for the Clinical Research Award contact the central office.

BOARD OF REGENTS
2007-2008

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