SADA History
The following is a brief History of SADA which we we are sure will prove to be informative.
By 1900 dentistry had been recognized as a profession rather than a trade in South Africa but dentists were widespread over large geographical areas so very little contact and, certainly, no formal structures existed for professional, political or social interaction.
Dental societies would be formed and often disappear or join up with other local groups. Some of the notable Regional Dental Societies were:
The Natal Dental Association, the first known dental society in South Africa, established in 1897.
The first recorded society in the Cape Province was the Cape of Good Hope Dental Society, the name of which was changed to The Dental Society of the Cape Province in 1913.
A meeting of dentists is recorded as having taken place in Johannesburg in 1902 and, by 1919 the Dental Association of Johannesburg was well established.
The Pretoria Dental Society came into being in 1919.
The Transvaal Dental Society was officially formed in 1928 with the aims and objectives of collaborating with, and advising the provincial authorities on matters affecting the dental health of children in the Transvaal.
In the Eastern Cape, the Algoa Bay Dental Society was founded in 1919. The name was soon changed to Port Elizabeth and Districts Dental Society.
After an unsuccessful attempt in 1909 to form a dental society in the Orange River Colony, the Orange Free State Society was inaugurated in August 1920.
Dental societies would be formed and often disappear or join up with other local groups. Some of the notable Regional Dental Societies were:
The Natal Dental Association, the first known dental society in South Africa, established in 1897.
The first recorded society in the Cape Province was the Cape of Good Hope Dental Society, the name of which was changed to The Dental Society of the Cape Province in 1913.
A meeting of dentists is recorded as having taken place in Johannesburg in 1902 and, by 1919 the Dental Association of Johannesburg was well established.
The Pretoria Dental Society came into being in 1919.
The Transvaal Dental Society was officially formed in 1928 with the aims and objectives of collaborating with, and advising the provincial authorities on matters affecting the dental health of children in the Transvaal.
In the Eastern Cape, the Algoa Bay Dental Society was founded in 1919. The name was soon changed to Port Elizabeth and Districts Dental Society.
After an unsuccessful attempt in 1909 to form a dental society in the Orange River Colony, the Orange Free State Society was inaugurated in August 1920.
Motivation for the formation of a South African Dental Society started as far back as September 1900, when it was proposed that a Dental Society be formed in South Africa, on the lines of the British Dental Association, but the country was politically divided and the Anglo Boer War delayed any possible thoughts of a national association.
In 1922, after years of unsuccessful discussions, the dental societies of the Orange Free State, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth unified to constitute the Dental Association of South Africa. One of the aims was to “protect the interests of the profession and to safeguard the public against quackery.
DASA had to form a legal entity as a result of which the DASA Articles of Association were incorporated in December 1935.
This Incorporation would give the Association official recognition and respect and would enable it to represent the united voice of the Dental Profession.
In March 1939 the DASA agreed to affiliate with the FDI Federation Dentaire Internationale). .
In 1922, after years of unsuccessful discussions, the dental societies of the Orange Free State, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth unified to constitute the Dental Association of South Africa. One of the aims was to “protect the interests of the profession and to safeguard the public against quackery.
DASA had to form a legal entity as a result of which the DASA Articles of Association were incorporated in December 1935.
This Incorporation would give the Association official recognition and respect and would enable it to represent the united voice of the Dental Profession.
In March 1939 the DASA agreed to affiliate with the FDI Federation Dentaire Internationale). .
During the Apartheid era, people of colour were largely excluded from studying dentistry in South Africa and most of the Black, Indian and Coloured dentists trained abroad. When they returned, they were restricted in the areas where they were permitted to practise.
Mostly due to this and other political perceptions, “non-white” dentists did not join DASA but formed other bodies, allied to their political affiliations.
During its 1990-1993 triennium, DASA started actively engaging in discussions with the other major dental groupings of the time, with the aim of creating a united dental profession with a single representative body. The parties involved were: The Independent Dental Practitioners Association – IDPSA, The National Medical and Dental Association – NAMDA and the National Dental Forum – NDF.
After many meetings and long deliberations, the great day arrived on Saturday 28 February 1998, when unity of the dental profession was approved by the membership and the newly named SOUTH AFRICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION came into being.
Mostly due to this and other political perceptions, “non-white” dentists did not join DASA but formed other bodies, allied to their political affiliations.
During its 1990-1993 triennium, DASA started actively engaging in discussions with the other major dental groupings of the time, with the aim of creating a united dental profession with a single representative body. The parties involved were: The Independent Dental Practitioners Association – IDPSA, The National Medical and Dental Association – NAMDA and the National Dental Forum – NDF.
After many meetings and long deliberations, the great day arrived on Saturday 28 February 1998, when unity of the dental profession was approved by the membership and the newly named SOUTH AFRICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION came into being.
In 2011, in order to comply with legal requirements and to improve governance and administration of the Association, a new constitution – Memorandum of Association – was placed before the membership of the Association. Adoption of the Memorandum ensures the successful continuation of our Association and will increase its relevance to all dental practitioners, whatever their sphere of practice.
We move forward with enthusiasm and excitement in the world of Oral Health.
We move forward with enthusiasm and excitement in the world of Oral Health.
