History
of the Jamaica Dental Association
The first convention of the Jamaica Dental Association
was held in 1964 at the Kingston Sheraton Hotel, hosted by a small group
of enterprising dentists with a passion for excellence paralleling the
dental care of First World countries. Spurred on by the reception
attendant on their endeavors, the JDA after a few years took the convention
to the North Coast of Jamaica, which locus would attract a greater international
clientele.
Over the years the Governor
General as Head of State, and other leaders of Government have shown
their recognition and appreciation of the JDA's endeavors through their
annual messages of goodwill. Now after 42 years, the JDA, by means of
its Annual Convention still continues to obtain international recognition
for Dentistry in our island, pursuing the initial policy of exposing
the island's dentists to the latest techniques, materials and practices
with the expectation of approaching the goal of Excellence.
In 1926 the Government of Jamaica
was contemplating the enactment of legislation to register as Dentists,
the dental mechanics who had been practicing dentistry illegally. Some
of the senior members of the Dental Profession believed this to not
be in the best interest of the public and felt that they should organize
themselves in order to have their views put to the government. The late
Dr. G.R. Machado as mentor of the project personally called on most
of the dentists and had meetings at his home and that of the late Dr.
S.A. Maitland. The Jamaica Dental Association was formed with Dr. Machado
as its President and set itself the task of resisting the proposed legislation,
but was unsuccessful, as what came to be known as the "Dental Law
1927" was eventually passed.
Undaunted by this defeat, the Association concentrated on the
other benefits of coming together as an organization; the members began
for the first time to know and appreciate each other and this led to
the realization that in unity there was strength. During the early 1940's
control of the Association fell into somewhat of a "dictatorship"
and as a result its meetings and activities were boycotted by the membership,
and for all practical purposes the Association ceased to exist.
In 1945, Dr. W. Lyon and Dr. B. Machado attempted to form
a new Association to fill the gap. This challenge to the status quo
seemed to awaken renewed interest and Drs. Lyon and Machado eventually
withdrew their efforts and a revitalized Jamaica Dental Association
rose out of the ashes of discontent. Thus a new phase in the history
of the Association was started, and saw the emergence of Dr. S.O.G.
Johnson as a new force and he participated actively -both directly and
indirectly- in the running of the Association for well over a decade.
The Association has continuously fulfilled the promise
of its founders, nearly all of whom have unfortunately departed this
earthly plane, but whom, wherever they now are, would surely be satisfied
with the results that their foresight have reaped. |
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