Background History

The origins of European meetings/congresses in Dental and MaxilloFacial Radiology can be traced back to 1978 when Professor David Smith, on becoming President of the British Society of Dental and MaxilloFacial Radiology (BSDMFR), stated his intention of inviting the Dental Radiologists from the then European Economic Community (EEC) to a meeting to discuss matters of common interest. This meeting took place in October 1979. Professor Smith again became President of BSDMFR in 1985 and proposed another meeting of European colleagues. Invitations were sent to all European residents who had attended the IADMFR Congress in London and discussions were held regarding the formation of an informal European Association of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology as it was felt important that such an Association should not detract from the IADMFR.

The 1st European Congress of DMFR

As a result of these discussions, Professor Fredrick Pasler offered to arrange a European meeting for September 1987 in his university city of Geneva. He entitled this the 1st European Congress of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology. It was a very successful meeting with approximately 250 delegates attending. At this 1st Congress a Working Group consisting of Professor Pasler, Professor Hollender and Mr Brian O’Riordan was set up to further consider the formation of a European Association. Meanwhile, an invitation from Finland to host the 2nd European Congress in 1989 was accepted. Subsequent Congresses were held in Amsterdam (1990), Turin (1993), Cologne (1995), Oslo (1998) and Athens (2000). At each of these Congresses a period was set aside to discuss venues for future Congresses and the concept of setting up a formal European Association. The majority opinion each time was for an informal arrangement whereby congresses would be arranged usually to coincide with a meeting of a national Society of DMFR or a regional grouping (Nordic Group) or exceptionally be organised by an individual.

The European dimension

However, at the Athens Congress it became apparent that within Europe there needed to be an authoritative and representative voice for Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology and that future Congresses needed to be more formally and centrally organised. Dr Lennart Flygare from Sweden again proposed the creation of a formal European Association. It was agreed that this formalisation would be discussed more fully at the 8th European Congress in Cracow in 2002. In Cracow, both Dr Flygare and Dr Kostas Tsiklakis from Greece argued forcefully that it was now time for a formal European organisation. It was therefore agreed that another Working Group, consisting of Dr Flygare, Dr Tsiklakis and Mr Eric Whaites from the UK, should explore the various options of a formal organisation and, if considered appropriate, prepare a draft constitution for discussion, agreement and ratification at the 9th European Congress to be held in Malmo, Sweden in 2004.

Working Group deliberations

The Working Group considered three possible scenarios: (1) remain informal, (2) create a formal organisation within IADMFR and (3) create a formal organisation separate from IADMFR. After considerable discussion it was agreed that the best way forward was to create a separate formal European Academy of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology (EADMFR). The EADMFR is not intended to detract from IADMFR so it was agreed that future European Congresses should be timed not to occur in the same year as IADMFR congresses and that European Academy members would be encouraged to join the IADMFR, if not already members. The Working Group then drafted a constitution for the proposed EADMFR and undertook a consultation exercise. Over 400 colleagues, throughout geographical Europe, interested in dental and maxillofacial radiology were sent copies of the Constitution for their comments, a letter explaining the background and suggesting an initial annual subscription of 30 euros, together with a short questionnaire. The questions asked enabled the Working Group to assess the level of support both for a formal EADMFR and for the proposed Constitution, as well as allowing colleagues to be involved in choosing the Academy’s logo and to comment generally. The questionnaires returned indicated an overwhelming majority (99.4%) in support of a formal Academy. Several colleagues made very useful comments and suggestions about the Constitution, many of which have been included. The logo which attracted the majority of support has been chosen for the Academy.

The Working Group would like to thank all those colleagues who responded and for their helpful comments and support.

Malmö, June 2004

Time was set aside at the 9th European Congress in Malmö for discussion resulting in an Interim Constitution and the formal creation of the European Academy. This made it possible for the EADMFR to start to function immediately within the proposed framework.

Leuven, June 2006

Further debate on the Constitution took place within Central Council. Some changes in Constitution and Bylaws were proposed by the Executive Committee, based on the experience of the first two years of the Academy. The revised Constitution and Bylaws were ratified at the General Assembly during the 2006 EADMFR Congress (Leuven).