[The founding and the first years of the first Dutch Dental Association: Nederlandsch Tandheelkundig Genootschap].
During the last half of the 19th century dentistry in the Netherlands met little social appreciation. The charismatic leader of Dutch dentistry, Dr. Theodore Dentz, dentist and physician, took the initiative to found the first Dutch dental organisation in 1880. His goals were to improve the image of his profession, to strive for better education and to strengthen the bond between the best dentists in the country. After about 1910 changes in society and dentistry forced 'het Genootschap' to delegate their work in the field of social and professional representation to the newly founded Dutch Dental Association. After that time 'het Genootschap' converted itself into a scientific invitation society.