Chicago Dental Society Celebrates 150 Years of Keeping Chicago Smiling

CHICAGO, June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Chicago Dental Society, a professional organization for dentists in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties, is marking its 150^th anniversary with the placement of four, four-foot fiberglass molars in the Pioneer Court Plaza.

A total of 10 molars were created in 2013 to kick-off the Chicago Dental Society's sesquicentennial celebration. The public was invited to vote for their favorite tooth online at www.cds.org and at the 149^th Midwinter Meeting – the Chicago Dental Society's annual meeting - as only the top four fan favorites would be moved to Michigan Avenue this summer.

Those teeth currently on display were created by Colgate; Ultradent Products, Inc.; Hu-Friedy Mfg. Company; and Chicago dental practice Dentistry for Kids.

Also competing for spots on Michigan Avenue were teeth created by DentalTown; Freeman; Chicago-based Harry J. Bosworth Company; Chicago dentist JV Discipio, DDS, and Associates, Ltd.; Chicago dental practice Pediatric Dental Health Associates; and Shatkin F.I.R.S.T., Inc.

"For the past 150 years, the Chicago Dental Society has been at the forefront of oral health," said Crete dentist H. Todd Cubbon, a past president of the Chicago Dental Society who is leading its anniversary celebration. "Many Chicagoans are familiar with the statue of G.V. Black – one of the founders of modern dentistry – in Lincoln Park. But the Chicago Dental Society and its members have been active in several efforts to improve oral health over the past 150 years and hope to continue to do so for 150 more."

Among them, CDS Past President Gustav Solfronk stood with Mayor Richard J. Daley to turn the valve that released fluoride into Chicago's water on May 1, 1956. The addition of fluoride into drinking water is considered "one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20^th century" by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

The Chicago Dental Society's Midwinter Meeting remains one of the top dental meetings in the country and one of the top 20 conventions in Chicago. It is estimated to bring $43.5 million to the local economy annually.

The 150^th anniversary molars are on display:
Pioneer Court – south end of the plaza
401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago
June 25 - Aug. 25.

Sponsored by:

• Colgate – This molar features colorful kids' drawings.
• Dentistry for Kids – This winking tooth is wearing a crown and surrounded by children's toys that are working to polish the tooth
• Hu-Friedy Mfg. Company — The mosaic pattern on this tooth's surface is made entirely by Hu-Friedy's professional dental products
• Ultradent Products, Inc. — The warm pinks and oranges on this tooth reflect the sunset in Arches National Park, in the company's home state of Utah

About the Chicago Dental Society
Organized in 1864, the Chicago Dental Society represents more than 4,000 dentists in the metropolitan Chicago area. Its mission is to represent the interests of dentists, promote the art and science of dentistry, and advocate for improving oral health for all. The society is the largest local affiliate of the Illinois State Dental Society and the American Dental Association.

Connect with the Chicago Dental Society on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

SOURCE Chicago Dental Society