American Association of Public Health Dentis... Health Article

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) is the largest dental public health organization in the world. Since its founding in 1937, the AAPHD has provided leadership in improving the oral health of the public through the discipline of public health dentistry.

The American Board of Dental Public Health defines dental public health as:

The science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis.

The purpose of the AAPHD is to improve the oral health of the public through education and leadership based on the principles of dental public health. The AAPHD had over 900 members in the year 2000, including dentists, dental hygienists, health educators, clinicians, researchers, administrators, and academicians. Approximately 10 percent of members reside outside the United States. As the sponsoring organization for the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH), the AAPHD seeks to develop the knowledge base of dental public health and to maintain competency in the practice of dental public health.

The AAPHD is publisher of the internationally recognized Journal of Public Health Dentistry, and of the Communiqué newsletter. The association's annual meeting, now held jointly with the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, draws approximately 350 participants.

JAMES W. TOOTHAKER

(SEE ALSO: Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors; Community Dental Preventive Programs; Oral Health)