Former BDA President's Legacy To Fund Dental Archive, UK

A bequest from former BDA president, John Walford McLean OBE, is to be used to fund work on an archive documenting the history of dentistry since the start of the National Health Service. Being developed in conjunction with King's College London Dental Institute's (KCLDI's) Unit for the History of Dentistry, the recently launched John McLean Archive: A Living History of Dentistry, will fill a void in the dental profession's recorded history.



Members of the McLean family presented the BDA Trust Fund with a cheque in support of dental research, which will be used to fund the archive, at a reception held at BDA headquarters in London. The reception was attended by trustees of the Fund, representatives of KCLDI and the BDA, and members of the project's team, including Professor Stanley Gelbier and Dr Steve Simmons from KCLDI's Unit for the History of Dentistry, and BDA museum staff members Rachel Bairsto, Melanie Parker and Sophie Riches.



Head of BDA Museum Services, Rachel Bairsto said:


"In time, this archive will provide an essential record of the significant evolution of the dental profession from 1948 onwards. This will be invaluable for generations of professionals to come. We are honoured to be given the opportunity to realise this project through the generosity of one of the most highly-regarded leaders in the profession, John McLean, whose legacy will long be remembered."



The project will comprise a series of witness seminars and individual oral history interviews, and encompass the full breadth of dentistry in the UK.



The first witness seminar, chaired by Dean and Head of KCLDI Professor Nairn Wilson and facilitated by the BDA museum's Honorary Curator Professor Stanley Gelbier, will be taking place on Friday 24 March between 11am and 4pm at the BDA's headquarters in London. The session will explore, amongst other things, dentistry prior to 1956, the role of the Dental Board, the introduction of the General Dental Council, interaction with the BDA, specialisation, and the role of the protection organisations.



The BDA is calling for witnesses to participate in this first seminar to discuss and debate their reminiscences. Those wishing to participate should contact Sophie Riches, Oral History Co-ordinator, at Sophie.Richesbda.


Notes


1) John McLean was a leading dental practitioner and internationally renowned dental materials scientist, author and lecturer. He was appointed an OBE in 1978 and was the recipient of numerous awards, including the John Tomes Prize for research. He served as BDA President from 1994 to 1995.