Contents - IADR/AADR

THE SOUDER AWARD
To give recognition for outstanding achievement in the field of Dental Materials, the Wilmer Souder
Award was established and first presented in 1955. (See chapter on "Awards".) The award is given annually
during the IADR General Meeting to a person who is recognized for the contributions made to this field of
dental science. The DMG has chosen this method to stimulate interest in materials research and to encourage
high quality in the type of materials research undertaken.
For this Award the Group chose to use the name of Wilmer Souder, physicist, scientist, and first
Director of the dental research program at the National Bureau of Standards. Wilmer Souder is a Past-President
of the IADR, not a dentist but a friend of dentistry. (See chapter on "Pages of Presidents".) The reports of his
investigations and the projects undertaken in his laboratories are recognized everywhere for their true scientific
character. The DMG and the IADR are fortunate to have received his advice and assistance, which are highly
respected everywhere. The Wilmer Souder Award in Dental Materials is likewise highly respected by all dental
research investigators.
SUMMARY
To a considerable degree it seems that the initial objectives of the Dental Materials Group are being
accomplished. With a continually changing society making increased demands on the dental profession for
increased service to patients, there are continually new challenges for those in the field of dental materials. This
condition appears likely to continue for some time in the years ahead.
The outstanding accomplishments of the DMG can be found in the following statement contained in a
letter of 21 May 1969 from George C. Paffenbarger to Floyd A. Peyton.
"The highlights of the growth and development of the Dental Materials Group of the IADR, as I see them,
are:
1. The Group provided a forum where diverse opinions in the science of dental materials could be
presented by any technical person from dental education, dentistry or the dental trade.
2. It created within the IADR a specialized group with a common interest. This type of organization is now
being utilized for other specialized areas in the IADR.
3. The Dental Materials Group provided a special opportunity for associate membership, and this attracted
a large group of interested persons who had no other outlet except if they were welcomed by a local
section.
4. The fact that there are members in the United Kingdom and Europe, in the Near and Far East, Australia,
New Zealand, Japan and from South and Central America attests to the Group's influence in lands other
than the United States.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL RESEARCH (IADR) – THE FIRST FIFTY YEAR HISTORY PAGE 204