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Robert Lindsay, August 1926, and the American experience - Part 2: the seventh International Dental Congress

British Dental Journal volume 235, pages 133–142 (2023)Cite this article

Abstract

Having previously described Robert Lindsay's and Bryan Wood's trip to New York and the first International Orthodontic Congress, this second article concentrates on Philadelphia and the seventh International Dental Congress. The latter, a vast gathering, was a chance for dentists from all corners of the globe to come together, not only to connect with each other and exchange ideas, but also to demonstrate the importance of their profession. Twelve years previously, the sixth Congress, held in London, had had to close abruptly following England's declaration of war against Germany. Scheduled to run between 4-8 August, it had closed on the sixth as so many of the delegates had dispersed. William Guy, one of the vice presidents of that conference, played a prominent part in the 1926 meeting and his memories and those of others present in Philadelphia are explored here, in conjunction with Robert Lindsay's handwritten diary and letters.

Key points

  • A source to find out something of the history of dentistry in the inter-war years.

  • Helps in learning about the international growth of dentistry as a profession.

  • Informs about the history of the British Dental Association.

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Acknowledgements

My thanks are due to those who preserved Robert Lindsay's diary and letters. Also, I would like to thank Rachel Bairsto, the BDA Museum Curator who spent some time unearthing a number of photographs for this article.

Certain paragraphs in the 'How truly inclusive was the Congress?' section in this article contain potentially harmful or offensive language or ideas relating to race and ethnicity. This content reflects the mores of the time but we now recognise that it may contribute to or perpetuate harms. We include it as part of the historical record.

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  1. Head of Library and Knowledge Services, British Dental Association, 64 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 8YS, United Kingdom

    Helen Nield

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  1. Helen Nield
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Correspondence to Helen Nield.

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Nield, H. Robert Lindsay, August 1926, and the American experience - Part 2: the seventh International Dental Congress. Br Dent J 235, 133–142 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6067-3

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