Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2022 - 10

PCSO News and Events
Editorial
100 Years of the PCSO Bulletin
In lieu of the usual editorial and Let's Talk About That columns that typically appear in the Bulletin, we present a special
article on the history of the PCSO Bulletin. The first 50 years will be based on my evaluation of Bulletins from the American
Association of Orthodontists (AAO) library and my personal collection. The most recent 50 years will be based on the
descriptions of our five living editors emeritus: Drs. Wayne G. Watson, David L. Turpin, David L. Crouch, Gerald D. Nelson,
and Jae Hyun Park. I asked each of them to summarize their time as editor, thinking I would take what they sent me and
then summarize it; however, these individuals are such talented writers, and I enjoyed reading these pieces so much that I
decided to keep them in their own words. I hope you enjoy the chronology of our special PCSO publication, the Bulletin.
Patrick K. Turley
Patrick K. Turley
Manhattan Beach, CA
The PCSO originated in the Pacific Coast Society of
Graduates of the Angle School of Orthodontia, which
formed in 1912. In 1917, the name was changed
to the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and
members were no longer required to have graduated
from the Angle School.1
greatly to be desired that every member
will feel himself part owner (which he
is) of this Bulletin and responsible for its
development and success!
In 1921, PCSO adopted its first
constitution and bylaws and formed the first board
with three officers and three representatives from the
Southern California, Northern California, and Washington-Oregon
sections. The society and its new board
of directors now needed a way to better disseminate
current orthodontic information to its members,
hence the birth of the Bulletin. The first issue of the
Bulletin was published in 1922 under the leadership of
its first editor, Dr. Carl Engstrom. The Bulletin began as
a typewritten pamphlet or leaflet that was mimeographed
and mailed to its members. These early
publications were mostly composed of summaries or
reports from the annual meeting and the three sectional
meetings. The first issue even contained a Pearl,
although not yet named as such, on how to make
soldering flux out of paraffin oil instead of Vaseline.
The inaugural issue of September 1, 1922, was seven
pages long and in the Bulletin-A Forward, editor Carl
Engstrom laid out the purpose of the Bulletin (p.5):
This Bulletin marks a step in the development
of the Pacific Coast Society of
Orthodontists that bids fair to be followed
by the greatly increased value of the
Society to every member. It is one of the
means adopted at the annual meeting
last July to keep the Society functioning
throughout the entire year. The activities
of the (3) Sections may, by means of the
Bulletin, be brought to the attention of all
members, and all members may profit by
the meeting of any Section, thus increasing
interest and promoting encouragement
to greater effort. It is hoped and
As the society grew in numbers, so did the Bulletin.
During the 1920s and 1930s, there was much to report
in the Bulletin. The Angle School of Orthodontics
would close its doors in 1927 but would be followed
by the opening of the first university-sponsored
program at the University of California at San Francisco
(UCSF) in 1930. Dr. Spencer Atkinson, who Dr.
Edward Angle had hoped would continue the Angle
School, became the first chair of orthodontics at the
University of Southern California (1934). The year 1929
saw the US economy collapse with the advent of the
Great Depression. The poor economic environment
caused PCSO to consider discontinuing publication
of the Bulletin. The publication was costly, and the
concern over high dues during these poor economic
conditions resulted in motions before the board in
1932 and 1933 to discontinue publication. Just before
the vote in 1933, Dr. Reuben Blake assumed the editor
position and would remain so for the next 26 years.
During his tenure, the Bulletin would reach new prominence
and move toward being financially self-sustaining.
Advertisements would now bring in needed
revenue, with the first advertisement published in
1936. That same year, PCSO became a constituent of
the AAO.
Dr. Blake would serve as editor until 1957, when Dr.
William Elsasser would assume the responsibilities for
one year. Dr. William Smith would serve from 1959 to
1965, followed by Dr. C.F. Steson Dillon from 1966 to
1967. During these decades, the Bulletin continued
to be a publication focused on keeping practicing
orthodontists in PCSO current with things happening
in orthodontics on the West Coast.
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PCSO Bulletin Fall 2022

Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2022