The Korean American Dental Association (KADA) is a professional association of dentists committed to the public’s oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement. KADA aims to lead a unified profession through initiatives in advocacy, education, research and the development of standards.
KADA currently has over 2,000 members in the United States and Canada.
History of the Korean American Dental Association
Dr. Jae In Oh
In 1969, Dr. Jae In Oh realized that it was necessary for Korean dentists in America to have their own professional society. He met with Dr. Shin Myung Cho, Dr. Andrew C. Nam, Dr. Soo Nam Oh, Dr. Yoo Whan Kim, Dr. Yang Kuk Seonwoo, Dr. Kyu Hwan Cho, Dr. Young Ok Han, Dr. Kenneth K. Chang, Dr. Esther C. Lee, Dr. Kyung Soo Kim, Dr. Sung Bong Whang, and Dr. Jung Joo Kim from Los Angeles, and Dr. Kwang Ok Roh, Dr. Young Ho Kim, Dr. Sung Soo Han, Dr. Bora Chung, Dr. Nhak Hee Kim, and Dr. Jin Myung Lee from out of state to discuss this matter.
After several meetings, on August 21st, 1969 in Los Angeles, they decided to establish Korean Dental Association of U.S.A. The purpose of this Dental Association was to meet, build relationships with more Korean Dentists in America, and commit to their professional advancement by helping each other.
Since the members in Korean Dental Association were Seoul National University Dental College Alumni, they decided to unite with Seoul National University Dental College Alumni Association. At first, the Korean Dental Association had to deal with the main obstacle that Korean dentists faced: obtaining the license to practice in California. While the United States acknowledged Degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery obtained from Korea, dentists from foreign countries had to certify with a board examination to be able to practice in the U.S.
During that period of time, the California government banned foreigners from taking these tests required by the Federal government. In protest, immigrants from England, Germany, France, Italy, Korea, China, Japan, Philippine, and other countries got together and kept on rallying to allow foreigners to take examinations. Thanks to their efforts, the California government finally allowed foreigners to take the board examinations.
2010 21st KADA Installation Ceremony
Growth of the Organization
Since Korean Dental Association was founded, many things have changed throughout the years: publication of newsletter and directory, free clinics service, biennial scientific conference, more dental college alumni associations from UCLA, USC, and Yonsei University, continuing education, annual party, regular meetings, and so on.
Korean Dental Association later changed its name to Korean American Dental Association.
As the years passed by, Korean Dental Association became more organized and more committed to the society for the public’s oral health. Korean Dental Association, which started with less than 30 dentists, now has about 800 members in Southern California, and 2000 members nationwide.
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OH, JAE IN
NAM, ANDREW CHUNG-WOO
CHANG, KENNETH K.
OH, SOO NAM
KIM, DAE YOUNG
OH, HENRY H.
MA, BOOE IL
WHANG, SUNG BONG
KIM, NHAK HEE
BAK, IL JIN
LEE, YOUNG SONG
CHO, HOWARD K.
KIM, JOHN K.
KWON, JOONG GUN
JO, PAUL SANGHA
HAN, JONG CHUL
YANG, HOWARD J.
KIM, HAK CHEON
PARK, ANTHONY T.
CHUNG, PETER Y.
HONG, BRIAN
HA, SEONHO
KIM PILSEONG
HAN, THOMAS
HONG, BRIAN
KIM, PILSEONG
WHANG, MICHAEL
KIM, DAVID H.
LEE, MINDO