History: A Dental Association was formed in May 1867, after a meeting of a number of dentists from Lancaster city and county. The new association was named the Harris Dental Association of Lancaster, PA, in honor of Dr Chapin Harris who was instrumental in getting the University of Maryland to add dental training to the medical department of the college in 1839. Through the vision and dedication of this group of dentists, they established what is now considered to be the 4th oldest dental society in America. The name change to the Lancaster County Dental Society was made in 1954.

Successes: In 1967, the Municipal Water Company started to supply fluoridation. In 1980, the Lancaster County Dental Society established the first Access to Care Programs in the state. Later, the Society, working with the Office of Aging, needed mobile equipment to care for nursing home patients as well as house bound and other non-ambulatory patients. To this end a non-profit Foundation for Dental Health was established in 1984. The Foundation solicited and received funds to pay for this equipment. Many dentists in the Society also answered the call to accept Department of Public Assistance reimbursement for eligible patients.

Membership: The membership of the Lancaster County Dental Society as of June 2002 is approximately 170 Active dentists and 45 Retired dentists. The Alliance of the Lancaster County Dental Society (formerly called the Auxiliary, formed in October 1948), holds several meetings during the year.  They are also active in the support of the Dental Health Education Programs within the community. The Alliance has 66 members. Other active dental health related groups in the area include the Lancaster County Dental Hygiene Society and the Lancaster County Dental Assistants Association.

Children's Dental Health: Each year there is a Children's Dental Health Celebration in February. The members of the dental society, hygiene and assistants associations and the auxiliary, volunteer their time and present programs to the community, in local schools, and other areas open to the community. At these programs tooth brushes, etc. have been given to visitors. During February, school children may call a pre-determined phone number to hear the "Tooth Fairy" message, urging the children to care for their teeth. A library of video tapes is available at the dental society office, many are specifically designed for use with children. 

Lancaster County Dental Society
Phone 569-7499
Fax 569-7879