Endodontic Pioneers (Endodontic History Part 3)

By Alexander M. Homer, BS, and Bradley H. Gettleman, DDS, MS

 In continuing our series on Endodontic History, we felt writing about significant individuals who have contributed to the specialty of endodontics would be a logical Part 3.  The problem we encountered was the list is much too long to include everyone in this one brief article.  Therefore, we decided to start by writing about the community which have AAE Annual Awards named after them:

Edgar D. Coolidge Award

Named for Edgar D. Coolidge, a pioneer in endodontics who was instrumental in establishing the AAE, this award recognizes individuals who exemplify Dr. Coolidge’s extraordinary vision, leadership, and dedication to the specialty.¹  Recipients of this award – the AAE’s highest honor – are an elite group of individuals who serve as role models for the entire endodontic community.¹  Referred to by many as the “Dean of Endodontics”, Dr. Coolidge is known for his role in the formation of the AAE and the promotion of the endodontic specialty before it was officially recognized by the American Dental Association.  He served as Professor at several universities and published many articles on periodontics, endodontics, and the biological basis behind treatment and tooth retention.  He was elected Honorary President of the AAE in 1959 and was well-known and respected throughout the dental world.  Due to his dedication and leadership, the AAE named its highest award in his honor with Dr. Coolidge being the first recipient posthumously.²             

This year’s Edgar D. Coolidge Award recipient is Dr. Terryl A. Propper.

Louis I. Grossman Award

This award is given to an author for cumulative publications of significant research studies that have made an extraordinary contribution to endodontology.¹  Known as the “Father of Modern Endodontics”, Dr. Grossman founded the Philadelphia Root Canal Study Club during a time when focal infection theories were widespread and led to wholesale exodontia of teeth.  He also organized the American Root Therapy Association, one of the predecessor organizations to the AAE.  As one of the original 19 founding members of the AAE in 1943, his text “Root Canal Therapy” now known as “Grossman’s Endodontic Practice” in its 13^th edition, is still revered in endodontic literature.  He served as head of Endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania and dedicated many years of his life to the teaching, practice, and research that has shaped modern endodontic practice.²

This year’s Louis I. Grossman Award recipient is Dr. Domenico Ricucci.

Ralph F. Sommer Award

This award is given to the principal author(s) of a publication of specific significance to the science and art of endodontology.¹  The award may be given for articles describing developments or advances in methodology and/or materials and devices and for constructive influence on clinical practice.¹  The paper(s) need not necessarily be based on research, but can be philosophical, social, technological, etc., and pertaining to endodontics.¹  Dr. Sommer, who is from Michigan, devoted his entire professional life to teaching and practicing in that state.³  In addition to lecturing on endodontics he was also known for hitching a small trailer to the back of his car where he carried instruments and equipment enabling him to give demonstrations at schools and dental associations in America and Canada.³  There is still an annual symposium in Michigan presented annually which is named after him: The Ralph F. Sommer Symposium.  Dr. Sommer was not only a Professor and Chairman of Endodontics at The University of Michigan he was also a Professor and Chairman of Physics.  He was the second President of the American Association of Endodontists as well as one of the original founders of the association and the American Board of Endodontics.

This year’s Ralph F. Sommer Award recipient is Dr. James C. Kulild (1947-2022).

I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award

This award acknowledges a member whose contributions to endodontics in the field of education have demonstrated excellence through selfless commitment to full-time educational pursuits, and whose valuable contributions have instilled in his/her students the desire to pursue excellence in their careers.¹  Dr. Bender is known for his role as an educator, teacher, researcher, and clinician in endodontics.  During his years teaching oral medicine and endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania, he simultaneously conducted research at Penn and the Department of Dental Medicine at the Albert Einstein Institute.  He published over 130 articles, many still considered “classics” in the endodontic literature and co-authored the gold-standard textbook on pulpal biology, now known as “Seltzer and Bender’s Dental Pulp”.  In the early 1950s, he began using “candied penicillin” lozenges to help prevent heart valves from becoming infected with bacteria entering the blood due to tooth surgery.  After 50 years in private practice, he continued to travel the USA and give seminars on Endodontics.  The Division of Endodontics at the Albert Einstein Medical Center, a Research Endowment Fund, and the Lifetime Educator Award of the AAE were all named after this titan in endodontics.²

This year’s I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award recipient is Dr. Scott B. McClanahan.

Edward M. Osetek Educator Award

This award is given to a member that has demonstrated status as an outstanding educator by earning the esteem and respect of his/her students and faculty associates; by the quality of former/current students and their impact on endodontics; and by receiving invitations to present endodontic seminars, lectures, or workshops at other educational institutions.¹  Dr. Osetek was committed to not only the American Association of Endodontists but also the American Board of Endodontics, as he served as president of both organizations.  He often spoke about the importance of mentoring; at the 1994 Annual Session luncheon he gave a speech on mentoring: “Obligations of a Privilege”.⁴  After a career in the U.S. Navy he decided to join the faculty at Northwestern University School of Dentistry.  He later became Chair of the Department of Endodontics and Post Graduate Endodontic Program Director.  Dr. Osetek has published numerous articles on various aspects of endodontics and coauthored chapters in textbooks.  Also, the list of awards he has received from the American Association of Endodontists seems endless.  He was a true giant of our endodontic community and a servant to his profession and the AAE.⁴

This year’s Edward M. Osetek Award recipient is Dr. Adham A. Azim.

Calvin D. Torneck Part-Time Educator Award

The Calvin D. Torneck Part-Time Educator Award recognizes AAE member endodontists whose contributions to endodontics in the field of education have demonstrated dedication to endodontics as a part-time teacher of endodontics in a predoctoral program, or in an advanced specialty education program in endodontics, and whose valuable contributions have instilled in his/her students the desire to pursue excellence in their career.¹  Dr. Torneck started teaching part-time in the endodontic graduate program at the University of Toronto in 1960 where in worked his way up the ladder and ultimately became a full professor and chair of the department of endodontics, and co-chair of the postgraduate endodontic department before he retired in 2000.  He also maintained a private practice until 2006.  Dr. Torneck has published numerous scientific papers and 5 endodontic teaching manuals.  In addition, he has contributed chapters in 19 textbooks.  He has served as president and founder of the Canadian Academy of Endodontics as well as the Ontario Society of Endodontists.  He has also served as president of the American Board of Endodontics and secretary for the International Federation of Endodontic Associations.³

This year’s Calvin D. Torneck Part-Time Educator Award recipient is Dr. Scott R. Makins.

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This is just a small discussion about some of the pioneers of our profession who have made a significant enough of a contribution to our specialty that the AAE has dedicated annual awards be given in their honor.  There are many other individuals that have also made extremely important contributions that will be recognized in Part 4 of our Endodontic History series.  In addition, there are also other extremely important awards we plan on discussing in future articles.

References:

1. American Association of Endodontics Website. Awards and Recognition section.
2. Gutmann JL, Manjarrés V. Pioneers in Endodontics – United States of America. ENDO – Endodontic Practice Today. 2017;11(2):127-152.
3. Grossman, LI: Pioneers in Endodontics. JOE 13: 409-415, 1987.
4. Pisano, J: A Personal Tribute In Memoriam-Edward M. Osetek 1033-1996. JOE 22:622, 1996.