The Henry Noble History of Dentistry Research Group’s Spring meeting, combined with The Menzies Campbell Memorial Lecture, will be delivered by Prof David Whittaker, OBE, FRSA, PhD, BDS, FDS RCS, in the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, Lecture Theatre 1 on Tuesday 18th March 2014 at 5.00pm. Prof Whittaker has chosen as his title:

 “Forensic Dental Science- an Insight into History”.

 David qualified from the Manchester Dental School in 1962.  He was appointed Lecturer in Clinical Oral Biology in Cardiff in 1968, and Professor in Forensic Dentistry in 1994. He taught and researched in Oral Biology until his retirement in 2004.  He worked on more than 800 cases, and gave evidence in criminal courts throughout the UK, Scandinavia, USA, and Australia. 

He was appointed Hunterian Professor, and Jacksonian Medallist from the RCS England.   He was Consultant to the British Museum in Facial Anthropology and he won the Davies Medal of the Royal Photograph Society for Forensic Imaging techniques. In 2005 he was appointed OBE for services to his discipline.  His hobbies include landscape photography and mountaineering.

The talk will cover a brief history of some of the more illustrative cases in Forensic Dentistry and will go on to link the principles of forensic research to historical investigations, and will include dentistry in the nineteenth century, Mayan ceremonial dentistry, Egyptian dental problems and Romano-British investigations.

As usual, members and friends are most welcome to attend what promises to be an absorbing lecture. Light refreshments will be available after the talk.

The Henry Noble History of Dentistry Research Group was founded in 1996, and it has grown to a membership of 70, mainly retired. They have also got over 140 followers on Facebook.  Their website is:  www.historyofdentistry.co.uk.  

The Group was started with the aim of:

  • preservation of material associated with the founding, development and history of the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School;
  • research in all areas associated with dentistry in general and the West of Scotland in particular;
  • foster an appreciation of dental history by means of lectures, papers and publications.

They are affiliated to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and are collaborating with the History of Medicine, University of Glasgow.

They hold regular meetings with interesting speakers, and also publish the Dental History Magazine (formerly the Newsletter) twice a year.  This magazine is circulated to members and all the British and Irish Dental Schools and Colleges and a number of international organizations. 

History of Dentistry Magazine:  There are copies in the Dental School Library, and the latest edition highlights: Dentistry of the Armed Forces; the development of the humble toothpaste; Sigmund Freud’s maxillary cancer,  along with other news and views.   The Library also houses the Henry Noble bookcase, which has a many old books and magazines.

The Group is endowed with funds from the Menzies Campbell Lectureship, the Menzies Campbell Bequest and the Dorothy Geddes Donation, which support many activities.

If anyone is interested to become a member, please contact the Secretary, Dr Robin Orchardson. (robinorch@gmail.com)

First published: 13 February 2014

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