The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto became Canada's centre for oral radiology because of the personal influence and generosity of our intellectual founder Dr. H.M. Worth. Two experts and students of Dr. Worth, Dr. H. Guy Poyton from Guy's Hospital, London and Dr. Douglas W. Stoneman from Toronto continued Dr. Worth's scholarship and were outstanding chairmen of the department in the early years. A postgraduate program in oral radiology was initiated in 1967 in which all 3 professors played an active role. In 1972 Drs. Fireman and Poyton opened the first private specialty practice in oral radiology in North America. The RCDSO certified Oral Radiology as a specialty in 1976 citing the existence of a private practice as a justification. The need for an official radiology voice in matters such as professional contact, government contact, media contact, radiation hygiene and a fee guide was intended to be filled by the OSOR.

Inaugural Meeting

The inaugural meeting of the OSOR took place on Tuesday August 9, 1977 at 12:00 noon in the Seminar Room, Department of Radiology in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto. In attendance were: Drs. Sidney M. Fireman, H. Guy Poyton, John Reid and Douglas W. Stoneman. Dr. Axel Ruprecht expressed in writing his regrets at not being able to attend. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Fireman.

By unamimous decision the name adopted was the Ontario Society of Oral Radiologists. By unanimous decision an executive was nominated and elected: President - Dr. D.W. Stoneman; Secretary-Treasurer - Dr. S.M. Fireman. The main areas of discussion included membership eligibility, constitution and by-laws, fee guide and relations with government and organized dentistry.