Loma Linda University School of Dentistry: Dentalgram, Dec. 2000

Richard A. Simms elected to ADA Board

Richard A. Simms, DDS, MS'63, has been named first vice president of the American Dental Association.

Richard A Simms, DDS, MS'63, an orthodontist in Harbor City, California, has been named first vice president of the American Dental Association.

As first president, Dr. Simms will serve on the ADA Board, which formulates and reviews policies and programs, and makes recommendations to the 427 members of the association's governing body, the House of Delegates. In this capacity, he plays a major role in the ADA's overall objective of protecting and improving the public's oral health, and promoting advances in dentistry.

Dr. Simms' previous responsibilities with ADA include serving two terms on the Council on Government Affairs, including a term as vice chair, and on major task forces and committees, including a task force on access, health-care financing and reform. In addition, he has been a delegate from the ADA's 13th Trustee District (California) for 12 years.

Dr. Simms has served California Dental Association's Council on Legislation for 20 years as a member, chair, or consultant, and is past president of the California State Society of Orthodontists. He was the founding editor of that society's publication, California Orthodontist, and received the Society's Distinguished Service Award in 1994.

Dr. Simms has also held leadership positions with the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and the American Association of Orthodontists, and is a fellow of the American and International Colleges of Dentists.

Before receiving his MS degree from LLU, he received his dental degree from Howard University, Washington, D.C.; and completed his internship in oral surgery at Freedman's Hospital, also in Washington. He served as a professor of orthodontics in the School of Dentistry for 24 years.

Dr. Simms and his wife, Gerald, live in Rancho Palos Verdes. They have two adult children, Richard Stephen, and Lori.