Lorain County Dental Society (LCDS) finds its roots in 1898 when a small group of dentists from Lorain County began meeting four times a year. Founding of LCDS is believed to be in 1908 while the charter made the Lorain County Dental Society official in 1913. However, it was not until 1920 that the Society really got underway with twenty-three members and quarterly meetings. As the years went on, meetings became more frequent and as membership grew, the events increased as well and even included an annual meeting held at one of the county's golf clubs. In 1956, the members hosted a Dental Assistant Certification Course where four assistants graduated and proceeded to pass the State Board exam. The same year, Gladys Hopkins, of Elyria and dental assistant for Dr. Melvin Haag, became president of the Ohio Dental Assistants Association. Dr Hagg, himself, became President of the LCDS in 1962 and in the same year created the LCDS Newsletter. It was published monthly and continued to evolve over the next 24 years when Dr. Pritchart put his own flare on it. He became so well know that what “Doc Pritch says” was a common saying throughout the state.
The society continues to offer many valuable services to it's members as well as working closely with the Ohio Dental Association and the American Dental Association to work towards the same goals. Locally, our society offers benefits to it's members including:
- Membership meetings held monthly which provides 1 hour of CE and an opportunity to mingle with colleagues.
- Continuing Education (CE) courses hosted at LCCC offered in the Winter and Spring months
- OSHA/Infection control refreshers are held in October annually.
- Radiographers renewal course for staff members that need to renew their license.
- Social events including, The Presidents Dinner held in November
- A family oriented fun event in the summer.
The Lorain County Dental Society has been blessed to have many members prominently represented in the field:
- Dr. Melvin Haag of Elyria was appointed to the Editorial Board of the ODA and has received the ODA’s Award of Achievement.
- In 1968 Dr. Ray Phipps of Oberlin was elected Vice-President of the Executive Board of the Ohio Dental Association. In 1970 he became President of the ODA.
- Dr. Robert L. Schroeder of Elyria was appointed to the Ohio State Dental Board by Governor James Rhodes in 1977 for a five year term. He served as the Board’s President in 1980 and 1981. For his services on the Council of Dental Care as Secretary and the Ohio State Dental Board, Dr. Schroeder received the Award of Achievement the following year.
- In 1985 Dr. John N. Stack of Vermilion was elected Treasurer to the Executive Committee of the Ohio Dental Association and re-elected in 1986, 1987 and 1988.
- Dr. Joseph M. Liszeki received the Award of Achievement from the O.D.A. for his work in the establishment of the Dental Service of The Lorain County Free Clinic.
- From June 1, 1990 to December 31, 1991 Dr. Robert C. Skillicorn of Elyria served the Lorain County Dental Society with the longest modern term as its President.
- In 2017, Dr. Ihor Suszko was awarded the ODA’s Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award for his work with Cap Haitien Dental Institute.
