The Oregon Dental Association (ODA) is a voluntary membership organization for Oregon-based dentists. The association was founded in 1893, operates statewide, and is currently headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon. Throughout its existence, the ODA has provided networking and, at times, financial support to members, launched educational programs, and advocated for public health issues of importance to its membership. This organization is known for advocating for the collective interests of Oregon dentists throughout the 20th century and into the modern day.
This collection houses organizational records of the Oregon Dental Association (ODA). The collection, which dates from 1896 to 2006, and consist of governing documents, meeting minutes, membership materials, correspondence, and published materials evidencing the operation and projects of the ODA. These records also house a selection of operating documents from the Portland District Dental Society, one of the regional districts within the larger ODA.
The Oregon Dental Association records offer unique insight into the development of the dental profession throughout much of the 20th century, both in the United States and, more specifically, in Oregon. The correspondence, meeting minutes, and published materials shed light on which issues were most important to the dentistry profession. Passing legislation to benefit public dental health was clearly a priority for the Oregon Dental Association, as extensive documentation on a campaign to fluoridate Oregon's water illustrates. Additionally, records in this collection highlight the association's role in financially supporting struggling dentists throughout the 1940s and helping to educate dentists and prospective dentists.
There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open to the public.
OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.
[Collection title], Collection Number [####-###], Oregon Health & Science University, Historical Collections & Archives
Materials transfered from the School of Dentistry by J. Henry Clarke.
This collection initially also included records from the Oregon Dental Alumni Association, which have been seperated for processing into the appropraite collection.
This collection is arranged into six series: "Governing documents, 1912-1971." "Meeting minutes, 1937-1952;" "Membership materials, 1908-2005;." "Correspondence, 1925-1964." "Published materials, 1953-2006;" and "Portland District records, 1896-1960."
All series are arranged alphabetically by folder name with the exception of the "Meeting minutes" series, which is arranged chronologically.
The "Governing documents" series, which dates from 1912 to 1971, includes articles of incorporation, constitutions, and bylaws, outlining the rules and expectations of the ODA. Additionally, there are maps of the regional districts of the ODA and documentation certifying the incorporation of new regional districts.
The "Meeting minutes" series, which dates from 1937 to 1952, consists largely of minutes of the ODA's executive council, but also includes two years (1948 and 1949) of minutes of the house of delegates. The minutes discuss the collection of dues, dissemination of relief funds to dentists in need, education programs, ODA elections, and association positions on legislation, amongst other topics.
The "Membership materials" series, which dates from 1908 to1969, is mostly made up of event programs for the Oregon Dental Association's annual meetings. These programs include schedules of the meetings, presidential addresses, information on social gatherings, and clinics on specific dental techniques. The programs also include advertisements for dentistry- related businesses, such as insurance companies and supply depots. This series includes a membership roster and a selection of membership applications from the 1920s and 1930s.
The "Correspondence" series, dating from 1925 to 1964, includes letters to and from members of the ODA. These letters concern the distribution of relief funds, the chartering of new districts, discussion on which amendments should be introduced to the constitution and bylaws, correspondence with the larger organization, and letters concerning strategies for passing fluoridation legislation in Oregon in the early 1970s. This series also contains the secretarial records of Dr. Willard H. Harley and Dr. F. W. Hollister, two ODA secretaries between 1938 and 1946.
The "Published materials" series, which dates from 1953 to 1973, contains newspaper clippings, pamphlets published or distributed by the ODA, and public statements by the ODA. Notably, this series includes a large amount of material concerning a statewide campaign to pass a bill requiring tap water to be fluoridated in the 1970s, which was ultimately unsuccessful. A selection of newspaper clippings related to Oregon dentists and a copy of the Oregon State Dental Journal from December 1953 are also a part of this collection.
The "Portland District records" series, which dates from 1896 to 1960, consists of meeting minutes, constitutions, and published materials relating specifically to the Portland District Dental Society, a regional district of the larger Oregon Dental Association. In the initial years, the Portland District Dental Society was known as the Portland Stomatological Club.