The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine was founded in 1991 by a small group of dentists who were interested in studying, researching and practicing dental sleep medicine. Two decades later, the organization now known as the AADSM has grown to more than 2,800 members. Below is a timeline of the milestones in the AADSM's growth:
1991 – Founding and charter members start the Sleep Disorders Dental Society (SDDS) - later to become the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. 1992 – SDDS becomes incorporated and bylaws are created. 1992 – Inaugural Annual Meeting of the SDDS takes place in Phoenix, Ariz., drawing 25 attendees. 1996 – American Dental Association approves SDDS educational programs for continuing education credit. 1997 – Springer publishes the first volume of Sleep and Breathing, the official peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the AADSM. 1998 – SDDS founds the Certification Program, which will certify more than 100 dentists between 1998 and 2004. 1999 – SDDS honors first recipients of the Pierre Robin Academic Award and Distinguished Service Award at the 8th Annual Meeting.
2000 – SDDS becomes the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (ADSM). 2000 – ADSM publishes the first issue of Dialogue, the official publication of the AADSM, earlier called the ADSM Report. 2002 – ADSM comes under the management of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). 2002 – Sleep and Breathing becomes an accepted peer-reviewed journal in the Index Medicus. 2002 – Academy’s national office moves from Wexford, Pa., to Westchester, Ill. 2002 – ADSM membership surpasses 300 dental professionals. 2003 – The 12th Annual Meeting of AADSM runs in conjunction with the SLEEP Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) for the first time. 2003 – ADSM sends its first monthly E-News update. 2004 – American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) replaces the ADSM’s Certification Program for the administration of board-certification in dental sleep medicine. 2004 – Academy honors first recipients of the Honorary Member Award and Best Abstract in Dental Sleep Medicine Awards at the 13th Annual Meeting. 2005 – ADSM offers its first Introduction to Dental Sleep Medicine Course in Miami, Fla. 2006 – AASM publishes “Practice Parameters for the Treatment of Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Oral Appliances” in the journal SLEEP.
2006 – ADSM becomes the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). 2007 – Diplomates of the ABDSM conduct the first AADSM study club. 2009 – AADSM offers its first Advanced Study Club Program and Advanced Course in Oral Appliance Therapy. 2010 – AADSM offers its first one-day workshop in dental sleep medicine. 2010 – The Research Committee launches a new research award competition for students and clinicians. 2010 – AADSM relocates to a new national office in Darien, Ill. 2010 – Board of Directors approves DSM Facility Accreditation program. 2011 - AADSM 20th Anniversary Meeting is held in Minneapolis, Minn., June 10-12, 2011. 2011 - AADSM accreditation is granted to a DSM facility for the first time. 2012 - AADSM 21st Annual Meeting in Boston attracts a record attendance of more than 1,100 individuals. 2012 - Academy membership surpasses 2,800 individuals.