Taiwan Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (TAPD), formerly known as the Pediatric Dentistry Association in 1989 and the Academic Seminar of Pediatric Dentistry in 1990, was officially founded on June 21st, 1992 after two years of preparation.

Upon its establishment, TAPD took over the five-year research program of fluoride mouth rinse for elementary school children commissioned by the Department of Health of the Executive Yuan (now known as the Ministry of Health and Welfare). Since then, TAPD has successfully hosted and co-organized various research programs, seminars, and promotional activities for oral health, revised the recommended fluoride content in toothpaste, provided free dental service for rural areas, and held campus tour lectures, etc. By doing so, TAPD plays an indispensable role in integrating resources from the community, campus, public, dentists, and the government, and continues to advocate for and improve children’s oral health in Taiwan.

TAPD established the admission requirements and licensure policy for pediatric dentists in 1995 and began to issue board certificates in 1996 to promote the concept of lifelong learning. The Academy continues to strive towards enabling every member to become a TAPD-certified pediatric dentistry specialist.

In 1997, TAPD joined the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) and established the Pediatric Dentistry Association of Asia (PDAA) together with several other Asian countries in the same year. TAPD actively participates in international exchanges, including hosting the Biennial Congress of the PDAA in 2006 and the Taiwan regional meeting of IAPD in 2016. Two of our previous presidents, Prof. Shun-Te Huang and Dr. Anthony Tzong-Ping Tsai, also served as the 7th President of PDAA and the 24th President of IAPD respectively, which further deepen the connection between TAPD and these two international pediatric dental organizations.

TAPD currently has 672 members, including 17 Directors, 5 Alternate Directors, 5 Supervisors, 1 Secretary General, and 3 Assistants Secretary General in the Board of Directors and Supervisors. The working committees dedicated to promoting oral health in children include Academic, Publishing, Finance, Public Relations and Membership Benefits, Legal System and Review of Membership, Oral Healthcare and the Development of Oral Medicine for People with Special Needs, Insurance Affairs, Information, International Affairs, Education and Culture, Selection and Screening of Specialists, and Advisory Committee for Children’s Oral Health. In addition to quarterly continuing education events, academic activities also include seminars co-organized with other medical organizations now and then to provide members with the most comprehensive and updated medical information. The annual conference with scientific and academic presentations also allows members to exchange ideas on research and clinical cases. TAPD also publishes a semiannual academic journal for members to gain access to state-of-the-art knowledge.

In 2019, after years of hard work by TAPD, the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan eventually acknowledged the expertise of pediatric dentistry, approved the licensure system established by TAPD, and recognized Pediatric Dentistry as a government-certified dental specialty, consolidating the professionalism of pediatric dentists in Taiwan. With great efforts from the previous presidents, directors, supervisors, secretaries-general, committee members, and all members, TAPD has always been striving for excellence in the academia and clinical practices of pediatric dentistry in Taiwan. With this solid foundation, TAPD will continue to advocate for and improve oral health for all children in Taiwan, participate and thrive in the global community, and pass the missions to the next generation.