Organized on October 25, 1870 as the New Jersey State Dental Society, the NJDA’s beginnings go back to the lecture room of the YMCA in Trenton, NJ. Twenty-seven prominent dentists in the state “called” for other dentists to join them in Trenton for a convention with the purpose of forming the society, and to “devise and adopt such other measures as may be deemed essential to our mutual improvement, and for the elevation of our common profession.”

James B. Morrison received a patent for the first commercially manufactured foot-treadle dental engine. Morrison’s inexpensive, mechanized tool supplies dental burs with enough speed to cut enamel and dentin smoothly and quickly, revolutionizing the practice of dentistry.


George F. Green received a patent for the first electric dental engine, a self-contained motor and handpiece.

Dr. Charles S. Hardy was Editor, Dr. Edward T. Taylor was Advertising Manager and Dr. T.J. McLernon was Secretary-Treasurer.

The ​banquet was held on March 15, 1913 at the Hotel Sterling, Trenton NJ, in honor of Dr. William I. Thompson.

The 100th Annual Session of the New Jersey State Dental Society was held on May 9th- 13th, 1970 at the Shelburne Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ.

On November 18, 1998, the House of Delegates of the NJDA voted unanimously to revise its bylaws in order to create a new component. The New Student Component was established at UMDNJ (University of Medical and Dentistry of NJ).

NJ hosted GKAS for the first time on February 21, 2003.