The Western Society of Periodontology was formed in 1952 by a small group of faculty members in periodontology at the University of Southern California. WSP is an organization dedicated to fostering education in the field of periodontics. It is a unique, cohesive membership of dental hygienists, general dentists, periodontists and other related dental specialists/auxiliaries. There is no other organization with this format in the world whose emphasis is education in periodontics and is non-political.
The geographic boundaries encompass Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, the Canadian Provinces from British Columbia to and including Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Mexico. Nonresident members span the United States and several foreign countries.
The Western Society of Periodontology provides a variety of meetings each year throughout the geographic area. A Scientific Session and Membership Meeting is held annually. Team Sessions for Dentists and Hygienists are held in locations throughout the WSP membership regions.
The WSP sponsors study clubs in several geographic areas. These clubs provide a combination of didactic and clinical material. The pilot program began in 1978, and new clubs are formed to meet the needs of different regions.