A short history of our society for the History of Dentistry

The inaugural meeting of ‘The Lindsay Club’ took place on 18th October 1962 in the BDA Headquarters at 13 Hill Street in London. The name chosen was in memory of Lilian Lindsay CBE (1871–1960), who in 1895 became the first lady to qualify as a dentist in the UK. She went on to become an internationally renowned dental historian and instigated the British Dental Association’s Museum and Library.         

The aims of the Club were and still are:

  • To promote interest, study & research into the history of dentistry
  • To bring together members of the dental profession and like-minded individuals who share these interests

This first meeting was attended by 24 members and 6 guests. Ronald A. Cohen was elected Chairman with J.E. McAuley Secretary and A.M. Davidson Treasurer. The inaugural lecture for the Club ‘The Tomes Tradition’ was given by Sir Zachary Cope MD.MS.FRCS. a physician, surgeon and historian. The ideal person to give the first lecture to this gathering. 

For the next few years three meetings or events would be arranged each year by The Club, with one taking place during the annual BDA conference. With increasing membership, the decision was taken in 1989 to change the name of the Club to a Society thus becoming the ‘Lindsay Society for the History of Dentistry’ we know today.

The Diamond Jubilee Dinner of the Society at the Titanic Centre in Belfast 2022
Rachel Bairsto installed as the 1st President by two previous Chairmen. Stuart Geddes (l) & Stuart Robson (r) in 2014

Both a weekend Conference and a Memorial Lecture continue to this day; with the prestigious Lecture attracting world renowned speakers.

It was felt, with the Society’s rising profile as an academic society, it was no longer appropriate for the title Chair(person) to properly portray its goals. So, at the 2014 AGM, Rachel Bairsto was installed as the first President of the Society. 

Hand-in-hand with the growth of the Society has been the development of the Dental Historian, the academic journal of the Society. Starting as a Lindsay Club News Letter in the 1960s it has development into a highly respected A4 size periodical, published bi-annually with worldwide appeal.

The Lindsay Society is now one of the largest Societies in the world dedicated to the history of dentistry. Through its committee and enthusiastic membership, it continues to evolve and grow. But most of all, it aims to make dental history available to all.