About Us

CALIFORNIA PEDIATRIC DENTAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE

PURPOSE - ORGANIZATION - HISTORY

In the early days of modern dentistry, before the now ADA approved specialty system, doctors developed personal interest in the more limited areas of treatment such as orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics and pedodontics. In the area of treatment for the child patient, many techniques were developed by practicing dentists who were eager to share their experiences with others who had limited their practices to dentistry for children. Even though the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry was formed in 1947, sharing information was difficult. A small network of doctors began to form in California in early 1950. This was the beginning of our California Pedodontic Research Conference! These doctors were the Grandfathers of pedodontics in California! They met for the first time in the home of Spencer Atkinson, D.D.S. Charles "Pop" Sweet, D.D.S. attended that meeting along with Francis W. Summers, D.D.S., Irvine Beechen, D.D.S, and several others. This first meeting was such a success that organizers agreed to meet annually and alternate Northern and Southern California meeting locations. In 1951 the meeting was held in the Barbara Hotel in Santa Barbara. The next year it was held in Hotel Casa Del Rey, Santa Cruz, then next in Hotel Coronado, Coronado and so on.

As C.P.R.C. grew in numbers, an Advisory Board was eventually formed consisting of the original leaders and they selected the chair persons for upcoming meetings two years in advance. The chair would stay on the Advisory Board for the two years prior to their meeting and for the two years following for a total of four years. This would insure continuity in purpose and helpfulness for the new chairs. Selected senior member advisors were also asked to be on the Advisory Board along with the Continuing Education chair. The Advisory Board was formed to select and support each chair person of every meeting. The chair of each meeting is responsible for and free to choose the location, program, speakers and activities. C.P.R.C. is always on the "cutting edge" and has always had notable knowledgeable speakers/authors such as Ralph Ireland, Allan Brodie and Thomas Barber, Maury Massler, Robert Moyers, Gordon Christensen, William Proffitt, Ira L. Shannon, Karin Vargevik, Alton Lacy, and John Featherstone to name a few. The chair is expected to follow this trend of inviting the most knowledgeable presenters to provide C.P.R.C. attendees with the most up to date and pertinent dental/medical information.

The budget is always kept within limits affordable to all members. The number of attendees is limited to maintain the meeting effectiveness and foster personal relationships between each other. To help insure that the integrity and original purpose of the group remains the same throughout its history, now and in the future, membership is by invitation only! It has always been a great honor to be invited to be a member of this most prestigious organization. Invitations are extended only to those who reflect the values and purpose of this organization and enhance professional contact opportunities for all members.

Lives have been changed by being part of C.P.R.C. Both personal and professional practice values have been changed by being part of C.P.R.C. Decisions have been made by attendees that have changed their individual dental practices forever! The ultimate benefactors are the child patients we serve. The byproduct is our individual reward of being happy doing what we love to do best and doing it well with validation from our peers. This organization is made up of some of the most brilliant, dedicated, giving, unselfish, humble individuals I have ever been associated with. Every member is far more interested in the welfare of others than they are of themselves. The tradition of sharing ideas, techniques, protocols and solutions to common problems is of paramount importance to C.P.R.C. members and this is the cement that holds us together. Our caring for each other is what makes us different from memberships in other organizations and it is important for all of us to never forget that element dear to all of us at C.P.R.C. Some "informality" and being more personal keeps us closer together! It has been said that a friend is someone who makes you feel important when you are with them. This is true for each and every member of C.P.R.C. We are all living proof that what "Pop" Sweet and Spencer Atkinson started in 1950 is strong and the original meaning and purpose of this very special group of dentists remains the same. It is up to all of us to see to it that the bond between us never weakens.

Vic Hawkins, D.D.S. C.P.R.C. Member since 1975

Addendum: As of our CPRC board meeting in 2017, the board made the decision to officially incorporate as a 501c3 tax exempt non-profit corporation. We also changed the name of our organization to California Pediatric Dental Research Conference, but will still retain the same acronym (CPRC) for continuity.

Milestones

1950: First meeting, held at the home of Spencer Atkinson, D.D.S., as the California Pedodontic Research Conference.

1951–1953: Early meetings at the Barbara Hotel in Santa Barbara, Hotel Casa Del Rey in Santa Cruz, and Hotel del Coronado.

1975: The 25th annual CPRC, at La Costa in Carlsbad.

2000: The 50th annual CPRC, at Stanford Sierra Camp, Lake Tahoe.

2017: The board decided to incorporate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and to rename the organization the California Pediatric Dental Research Conference, keeping the CPRC name.

2018: First year as a nonprofit. After 68 years with no bank account of its own (each chair opened a new account with a check from the previous chair), CPRC set up a continuing bank account, bought insurance, and adopted its first written policies.

2022: The 72nd CPRC, at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley. The program included a Fireside Chat, "A Lifetime of Pediatric Dentistry," with Drs. Marty Steigner, Bob Oliver, Vic Hawkins, Scott Thompson, Weyland Lum and Ed Matsuishi.

2025: The 75th CPRC, at Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, Arizona.

Recent Meetings

2017: Chris Wacker, UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center, Lake Arrowhead

2018: Rob Oliver, Resort at Squaw Creek, Olympic Valley

2019: Mitch Poiset, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

2020: Greg Rabitz, chair. The meeting was cancelled due to COVID-19.

2021: Hila Robbins, UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center, Lake Arrowhead

2022: Ray Ramos, Quail Lodge, Carmel Valley (72nd CPRC, September 22–25)

2023: Eric & Stephanie Dixon, Del Mar Beach Hotel, Del Mar (September 7–10). A beachside meeting with a luau-themed welcome and a Saturday gala at the PowerHouse in Del Mar. Speakers included Dr. Nestor Cohenca on traumatic dental injuries and vital pulp therapy, Dr. Paul Kennedy, Dr. Jason Larkin and Dr. Joshua Solomon.

2024: Brandi Faia & Theron Stout, the Big Sur Lodge in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (September 26–29). Speakers were Dr. Uche Odiatu and Dr. David Rothman. Highlights included a private tour of the Point Sur Lighthouse, a honey tasting, a sound bath, and music by a harpist.

2025: Mercedes Padilla, Rancho de los Caballeros, Wickenburg, Arizona (75th CPRC, September 11–14). Highlights included Dr. David Rothman on pediatric local anesthesia and "The Myths of Pediatric Dentistry," Dr. Ann Spolarich on pediatric substance abuse, Dr. Timothy Caruso on ergonomics, and a "Diamonds in the Desert" panel with Drs. Marty Steigner, Neil Katsura and Ned Momary.

2026: Chad Abbey & Kurt Sturz, Alisal Ranch, Solvang, in Santa Barbara wine country (76th CPRC, October 1–4). The program featured Dr. Matt Geneser on pulp therapy and hypomineralization, Dr. Travis Nelson on complex interdisciplinary cases and evidence-based dental GA, Dr. Jessica Robertson, Dr. Andi Livingood and Dr. Kurt Sturz, along with practice-management sessions from MB2, Fireside and AME. Social highlights included a hayride and dinner at Alisal Lake, a pickleball tourney, and the Red, White & Blue Gala.