Dr. Lawrence H. Meskin, who helped forge The Journal of the American Dental Association into dentistry’s premier scientific publication, received the ADA Distinguished Service Award at the first meeting of the House of Delegates on Oct. 13.
Dr. Meskin told the House that he was "honored and privileged" to accept the DSA, the Association’s highest honor, presented to him by then ADA President Robert M. Anderton.
"While I neither coveted nor sought recognition for my efforts as editor, I’d not be honest if I didn’t express my delight at receiving the Association’s highest honor," said Dr. Meskin, who will step down Dec. 31 after 11 years as JADA editor.
In brief remarks to the delegates, Dr. Meskin thanked "those who gave me the opportunity to serve and those who have been willing to share their thoughts and ideas for the betterment of our profession." He also thanked his wife, Estelle.
The retiring editor announced in September 2000 that he would step down at the end of this year.
"I’m a big advocate of term limits," he said at the time. "I’ve never done any one thing this long. I think 11 years is a good amount of time to achieve certain goals, and now it’s time to give someone else a chance. JADA will benefit from some new thoughts and ideas."
"I am so pleased that the ADA leadership acknowledged Dr. Meskin for the impact he had on dentistry," said ADA Publisher Laura A. Kosden. "JADA became the best-read journal in the profession under his direction, and his powerful editorials distinguished him as the ‘voice of dentistry.’ "
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Dr. Robert M. Anderton presents the Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Lawrence H. Meskin.
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Under Dr. Meskin’s leadership, JADA, which entered the 21st century as dentistry’s best-read journal, was especially popular with newer dentists, those in practice 15 years or less.
"They’re the future," Dr. Meskin said of new dentists. "Of course, all our readers are important, but the fact that young dentists are interested in The Journal is very rewarding."
Dr. Meskin will continue his work at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry, where he directs the continuing education program and is a professor in the medical school’s Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics.
In August, the ADA Board of Trustees ratified the selection of Dr. Meskin’s successor, Dr. Marjorie K. Jeffcoat, professor and chair, Department of Periodontics, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham.
Dr. Jeffcoat will be the first woman to hold the JADA editorship since the publication was founded as a quarterly bulletin in 1913. In October, she began working with Dr. Meskin and staff members as part of a transition plan. She will officially take up her new duties Jan. 1.
