In the final two decades of the 20th century, interest in the disciplines of dental ethics and law began to rise rather quickly. At the inspiring initiative of Dr. Yvo Vermylen (Belgium), the first International Congress on Dental Law was held in Belgium (Louvain 1992). Subsequent international congresses in Denmark (Copenhagen 1995) and the United Kingdom (London 1998) were expanded to include the field of dental ethics. More recently, two Dental Ethics Summits were held in the US (St. Louis 1998 and Nashville 2000). Half a dozen dental ethics textbooks appeared in various languages and the number of dental law textbooks grew larger as well. Various local societies for dental ethics and/or law were founded. But an international association had yet to be founded.

In late 1999, a number of experts in the field of dental ethics and law decided to explore the feasibility of a new international society. The group was expanded to a total of ten, representing as many different countries. This Planning Committee defined the nature and scope of the new society, its primary functions and structure. The Statutes were completed in the Fall of 2000, and the Society was formally incorporated in December of 2000. The Founding Board first met on December 29-30, 2000, appropriately in Louvain.

The IDEALS Founding Board

Yvo Vermylen (Belgium), President
Greg Waldron (UK), Treasurer
Jos Welie (USA), Secretary
David Frenkel (Israel), Asst. Secretary
John Clement (Australia)
Sefik Gorkey (Turkey)
Gunilla Nordenram (Sweden)
Dick Speers (Canada)
Sytse Strijbos (Netherlands)
Karsten Thuen (Denmark)

The membership drive was started immediately in preparation of the first General Assembly business meeting. On October 27, the General Assembly met for the first time during the 4th International Conference of Dental Law and Ethics. Dr. Richard Speers from Canada was elected by the IDEALS members as the first President-Elect. Six other members were elected to the Board. The Society will also assume the responsibility for future International Congress. The next Congress will be held in 2003, in Omaha (USA).