Founding

The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an honorary dental service organization that was founded in 1936 by Dr. Elmer S. Best, a Minnesota dentist. Troubled by the proprietary nature of many dental publications, he wanted to help the profession gain control of its own literature and assure its independence from commercial interests. His passionate concern for the search for knowledge and the raising of professional standards laid the ground work for the beginning of the Academy.  This attracted outstanding dental researchers and teachers to its ranks, and led to a continuing role in fostering dental science.

The Academy is named after Pierre Fauchard of France (1678-1761), who is recognized as the "Father of Modern Dentistry" for raising dentistry to a profession. He wrote a book named “Le Chirurgien Dentiste, ou Traité des Dents” which was the first true textbook of dentistry.

 The Constitution of the Pierre Fauchard Academy laid out a series of objectives honoring Dr. Best’s focus on integrity and ethics.  An objective adopted by the Academy awards distinguished members and role models for their contributions to the field of dentistry.  A primary objective at the time of its founding, to help the profession take control over its own literature, still remains an important activity of the Academy.  This includes the publication of  Dental Abstracts. 

Fellowship

Our mission as Fellows in the Pierre Fauchard Academy is to recognize and develop outstanding leadership in our profession, internationally.  

The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an international dental honor organization that recognizes leaders and future leaders in the profession. Founded in 1936, the PFA has over 7000 Fellows around the world. The honor of fellowship is conferred on those dentists who have demonstrated that they have ‘served’ and/or have great potential for service. Fellowship is extended to fewer than 3% internationally whom colleagues have recognized as the best. 

Fellowship in the Academy is by nomination and is designed to honor past accomplishments in field of dentistry and encourage future productivity.  Professional leaders select fellows based on contributions to dental literature, service to the profession of dentistry, and service to the general community, thereby bringing credit to dentistry. PFA Fellows focus on professionalism, integrity, and ethics worldwide. PFA Fellows serve as worthy role models, advance dentistry to the highest level, support and honor colleagues for their distinguished work, conduct research, support public service, and provide excellence in programs, education, and leadership in oral health care.

Fellowship in the PFA does not end with a certificate on the wall and a pin on a lapel. Our hope is that this fellowship will serve as a catalyst for Fellows to want to be, do, and give more in service to family, profession, and community.

PFA Fellows have access to a growing online collection of leadership programs and receive Dental Abstracts and Dental World, the official journal of the PFA.

Through its Foundations, the PFA offers financial support to various dental projects that increase access to care for underserved populations, creates culturally appropriate leadership programs around the world, and provides scholarships to dental students.

 

Organization

The Pierre Fauchard Academy is currently comprised of nearly 8,000 Fellows divided into 142 sections, 55 in the United States and another 87 in many other parts of the world, including South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

The membership is made of dentists who are among the most outstanding leaders in various fields of dentistry.  Fellowship is by invitation only and must have the approval of the Section or Regional Trustee in which the candidate resides or practices.

The Academy is administered by a Board of Trustees consisting of five Officers and eleven Trustees from around the world. Section organization includes a Chairperson and such other officers or committee members as the Section may elect. The administrative office of the Academy is located in Rockville, MD, U.S.A. 

 

 

PFA Founder, Dr. Elmer S. Best

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

Organizational Chart

Download a PDF of the organizational chart.

Download the Chart

---

The Pierre Fauchard Academy was organized in 1936. It has grown internationally to nearly 11,000 members organized into 11 global Regions and over 142 local Sections.