Angle Society

ON JUNE 11, 1901 Dr. Edward Hartley Angle, the Father of Orthodontics, convened a three day meeting in St. Louis to start what was to be called the American Society of Orthodontists. We would call this day, the birthday of modern day orthodontists.

The Story Of The First Female Orthodontist

At this meeting, only one licensed female dentist was present. That woman was Dr. Guilhermena P. Mendell of Nashua, New Hampshire. Dr. Guilhermena P. Mendell is therefore the first woman orthodontist.

Although Anna Hopkins Angle, often called "The First Lady of Orthodontics" was present at this landmark meeting. Anna Hopkins was not yet a dentist. Anna had begun working as Dr. Angle's secretary in 1892 and assisted him enormously with his writings. She graduated dental school at the University of Iowa in 1902 with a DDS degree. She continued to be the secretary of Dr. Angle's Society from 1902 to 1905. She married Dr. Angle in 1906 in Niagra Falls, New York.

There is no record that either Dr. Locke or Dr. Hopkins-Angle graduated from the Angle School of Orthodontics. Here is a 1905 record of a third woman, Jane G. Bunker, who appears to be the first female graduate of the Angle School of Orthodontics. She graduated from the Angle School of Orthodontia in 1904.

Today to become a dental specialist orthodontist, a dentist must attend an additional two to three university graduate residency program after completing dental school. Fifty percent of orthodontic graduates nationwide are female and some residency programs have had an all female class.

As the orthodontic specialty continues to evolve, it's nice to know that Dr. Guilhermena P. Mendell was there from the start.

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca
Gorczyca Orthodontics
Antioch, CA
www.clubbraces.com

ON NOVEMBER 17, 1930, twenty-two former graduates of Dr. Angle’s School of Orthodontia met in Chicago. The purpose of their meeting was to “find some way to carry forward Dr. Angle’s ideals of orthodontia.” That day, the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists was born.

Angle Society Members Are Characterized By Excellence In The Field

The forty-six charter members of the Angle Society of Orthodontists were giants in the field of orthodontics. Founding members included the late Dr. Angle’s wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Anna Hopkins Angle, Director of the Angle School and herself one of the first women in dentistry and orthodontics, as well as Drs. Brodie, Tweed, Noyes, Broadbent, Hahn, Steiner, and Hellman, all of whose contributions to the field of orthodontics has been legendary.

Today, the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists has over 500 members worldwide. Characteristics of Angle Society members include excellence in orthodontics as well as participation and involvement in dental, orthodontic, academic, and civic organizations.

Membership Is Achieved By Invitation Only

Angle Society membership is achieved by invitation only from your component Board of Director members. Membership requirements include an Oral Case presentation, an orthodontic thesis of independent investigation, and six written case reports for evaluation. The membership process usually takes five years to complete. All of these requirements must meet the standard of excellence in orthodontics set by the Angle Society.

The National Biennial meeting of the Edward H. Angle Society has proven internationally to be one of the most outstanding orthodontic meetings. Programs consist of speakers from various components from across the globe.

Are You Interested In Becoming An Angle Society Member?

If you are interested in becoming an Angle Society member, please contact a member in your local dental community. Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca is a member in Northern California, and is the first women member of that society, and the only member from East Contra Costa County. For additional questions about the Angle Society, call her at (925) 757-9000.
 
“You will shoot no higher than you aim, so raise your sights a little and never forget that perfection is the ultimate goal. You may never reach it, although the closer you approach it, the greater will be the feeling of contentment in your own soul. A person’s own conscience, after all, is his most formidable critic.”

-Dr. George Hahn
Founding Member, Angle Society of Orthodontists