MDS History

The Past

The Mississippi Dental Society was incorporated in the state of Mississippi on April 1, 1920. The charter members consist of a group of African American dentists who were geographically diverse. The founding members were not located in the same town, county or region of the state. The logistics of incorporating an organization were not impossible but required some perseverance. The charter members were:

Dr. J.C. Overton- Grenville, MS

Dr. C.L. Barnes-Jackson, MS

Dr. J.T. Full love-Clarksdale, MS

Dr. W.S. Atwood-Vicksburg. MS

Dr. W.H. Black-Meridian, MS

Dr. D.H. Dilworth-Yazoo, MS

 

Recounting the history of the organization, the American Dental Association was first established and called the National Dental Association (NDA) in 1917. At this time the organization was Caucasian. The name of this organization was changed to the American Dental Association (ADA). The present NDA was started as the Interstate Dental Association in 1922 and was predominately African American. The name was changed to the National Dental Association in 1932 and became an African American organization.

Dentistry for African Americans started much further back in history. As early as 1869, Robert Turner Freeman, an African-American man, was one of six people with a doctorate from a U.S. university (Harvard University). As previously stated, the American Dental Association, which was Caucasian, was established in 1917. This organization dates back much further. The Mississippi Dental Society is a component of the National Dental Association.

Prior to 1880, there were less than 12 African American dentists and mechanics who were trained to take out teeth. In 1890, Ida Gray, a graduate of the University of Michigan, became the first female dentist. In 1895, The National Negro Medical Association of Physicians, Dentist and Pharmaceuticals formed. This organization later became known as the National Medical Association.

During the period of 1901-1905, many attempts were made to organize an Association of African American dentist that failed on several attempts. In 1907 the National Medical Association established a Dental sub-section of the National Medical Association. It is worth mentioning that at that time most dentists had dual degrees (M.D., D.D.S.).  In 1908 the first journal of the National Medical Association was published.

In November, 1910, in the District of Columbia (DC), The Washington Society of Colored Dentists became the first organization of African-American Dentists. In 1915, The Mississippi Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association were formed. This is not the same organization that was formed in the mid 1980’s.

The present day organization was organized and established as The Mississippi Dental Society in 1920. Imagine the climate in Mississippi in the 1920’s. It took courage and valor of a small group of people with insight to establish an organization not only for themselves but for the people of their community, for they knew that standing together is superior to standing alone.

The founding members Dr. J.C. Overton- Grenville, MS,  Dr. C.L. Barnes-Jackson, MS, Dr. J.T. Fullilove-Clarksdale, MS., Dr. W.S. Atwood-Vicksburg-MS., Dr. W.H. Black-Meridan, MS. And Dr. D.H. Dilworth-Yazoo, MS. had the courage and conviction to do just that.

These individuals understood their strength was in numbers.  They understood that they were much more together than apart and they were in part if not the totality of their community. They knew that they were not alone, but with other professionals they could lead their community. These were not selfish acts, but acts of commitment to their community. These individuals were people who were known and seen daily. They were visible and part of their community. Since 1920, the members of the Mississippi Dental Society have been not only the people who treated the needs of the community with dental care, but the people who have been leaders in the community and the people called upon by those in need not only for dentistry, but for the greater good of the community.

The Objective of the Mississippi Dental Society is to promote the art and science of dentistry; raise the standard of the dental profession, stimulate favorable relations and good fellowship among dentists and other health professionals work for the health of the community we serve; and work persistently for elimination of religious and racial discrimination, and segregation from dental institutions, clinics and organizations.

Bridging the Past With the Future

The history of the organization is loosely recorded during the period after founding in April, 1920. The history is recorded through the practice and community endeavors of the dentists around the state. Our history records that one of the founders,  Dr. C.L. Barnes, a native of D’ Lo, Mississippi and a graduate of Alcorn College (later becoming Alcorn State University) furthered his studies at Northwestern, then returned to Jackson, Mississippi and practiced on historic Farish Street for 23 years. Little information can be found in archives on the other founders.  Through newspapers, books, gazette, journals and other periodicals, it is noted that our Mississippi Dental Society members continued to be have successful practices and became pillars of the community.

Noteworthy are many African Americans chronicled during this time period. Worthy of mention are a number of people:

Dr. Emmett J. Stringer, a prominent citizen, opened his dental office in Columbus, Mississippi in 1950.

Dr. Stringer helped organize the NAACP chapter in Columbus, Mississippi. A  Dentist, Civil Rights Leader and Pastor, Dr. Stringer practiced in Columbus, Mississippi until 1992. Dr. Stringer was a leading figure in the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement and served as president of the Mississippi State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) branches from 1953-1954 and had the job of organizing responses to Brown vs Board of Education. He also organized the Columbus branch of the NAACP and the Lowndes County Women Voters League. Dr. Stringer served as the first chairman of the Biracial Advisory Committee to the Columbus Municipal Board as well as President  of the North Mississippi Medical, Dental, Pharmaceutical and Nurses Society.

Dr. Aaron Thomas Sr., a dentist in Tupelo, Mississippi was one of the first African Americans to apply for membership and be accepted as a member of the Mississippi Dental Association (MDA), which at the time was a Caucasian organization, in 1969. Dr. Thomas was a 1949 graduate of Meharry Medical College. Dr. Thomas served the Tupelo area for over 30 years.

During this same period in 1969, two other African American dentists, applied and successfully became members of the Mississippi Dental Associaton. Dr. Leon T. Britton and Dr. Robert Harrison. Dr. Britton, a 1951 graduate of Meharry Medical College and Dr. Robert Harrison, a 1941 graduate of Northwestern University were accepted as members in the Mississippi Dental Association. Dr. Britton served the Greenville, Mississippi area for many years and is honored by our annual award, The Britton Award. Dr. Harrison served Yazoo City and the surrounding area for many years.

On the eastern side of the state, African American dentists were establishing themselves as leaders both in dentistry and the community. Dr. Hobart Kornegay, a native of Meridian, Mississippi, was a graduate of Morehouse College and a 1948 graduate of Meharry Medical College. He was not only practicing dentistry, but involved with civil rights and public service.  Dr. Kornegay served on both the Meridian City Council and the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors. Another prominent dentist in the area was Dr. Eugene Hunter who established himself not only as a practitioner, but a businessman as well.

In the central region of the state, African-American dentists were establishing themselves as practitioners and making notable contributions to the community. One notable individual during this era was Dr. A.H. McCoy who attended Tougaloo College and Meharry Medical College in Nashville. In 1930, Dr. McCoy returned to Jackson and started a dental practice. It was located near the corner of Farish and Capitol Street, on part of the present day site of the McCoy Federal Building. In addition to his successful dental practice, McCoy co-founded The Security Life Insurance Company in 1938, two movie theaters, and helped develop the Farish Street business district. McCoy was also active in the Mississippi chapter of the NAACP.

Dr. C.B. Clark-Became the first African-American member of the State Board of Dental Examiners in 1982.

Dr. Thurmond Beasley held dual degrees in dentistry and anesthesiology.  He served on the Mississippi Board of Dental Examiners from 2002-2008 and played a significant part in drafting the current rules and regulations regarding the use of sedation dentistry for the state of Mississippi

The Future

During and following the preceding period, the Mississippi Dental Society continued to forge and make history. The organization continued to meet at least annually. During this period, the organization experienced phenomenal growth with an influx of minority dentists into the state. Though many of these dentists are no longer with us, their names are worthy of mention. These members are: Dr. Presley Autry, Dr. C.B. Clark Sr. Dr. C.B Clark Jr., Dr. Warren Inge, Dr. Donald Woods, Dr. Thurmond Beasley, Dr. Eugene Hunter, Dr. Hobart Kornegay, Dr. Cottrell Mitchell, Dr. Theodore Jones, Dr.  Mavis Jones, Dr. John Davis, Dr. W.F. O’Reilly, Dr. O’Lee Doss, Dr. Charles Leonard and Dr. Irvin Henderson.

Some were graduates of the UMC School of Dentistry and others were graduates of Dental schools in the U.S. with Mississippi ties. Others simply chose to make Mississippi their home.