Paul Kitchin (1891 – 1972) began the dentistry research program at The Ohio State University in 1925 and served as professor of dentistry. He is known as the father of the American Association of Dental Research, which is now the largest affiliate of the International Association of Dental Research where he served as its 14th president.
He conducted research and contributed to the improvisations for dentifrice, known today as toothpaste. Kitchin also advocated for dental hygiene to be more accessible to the general public by encouraging others to become more knowledgeable of dentists and advocating for dental hygiene to be less expensive.
Kitchin received both his undergraduate and doctorate degree from Ohio State. In 1939, as a professor at Ohio State, Kitchin was appointed secretary for the College of Dentistry, a position he held until he retired in 1958.