The concept was first presented to the Michigan Dental Association Committee on Dental Health and Health Planning (CDHHP) in June of 1986.

The CDHHP approved and endorsed the concept, and forwarded a recommendation to the MDA Board of Trustees that they authorize the formation of a statewide Forensic Disaster Identification Team.

The MDA Board of Trustees received and adopted Resolution 3-1286 in the December of 1986, which endorsed and allowed the formation of a statewide team.

The team has responded to three aircraft mishaps:  Northwest Flight 255, Northwest Flight 1487 and COMAIR 3272.

The present team is under the direction of team leader Dr. Allan Warnick, and currently has about 100 members consisting of dentists, dental hygienist, and dental assistants.