This year, the School of Dentistry celebrates its 125th anniversary. We have set up a timeline of milestones over the years.
| On May 28, 1881, a proposal was sent to the Board of Regents of the University of California by members of the Medical Department of the University of California recommending the establishment of a dental department. Dr. S. W. Dennis, who would be the future School of Dentistry's first dean, persuaded five members of the medical faculty to sign the letter. |
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The proposal, signed by the individual members of the medical faculty was as follows:
To the Honorable Board of Regents of the University of California Gentlemen,
We the undersigned, members of the Faculty of the Medical Department of the University of California would respectfully recommend, that a Dental Department may be established in connection with the Medical Department of the University of California and for the following reasons, viz:
- That Dentistry is an important collateral branch of medical science.
- That dental education is necessary for the public good.
- It can be most thoroughly acquired in connection with the Medical Department, and, under the management of competent men, actively engaged in the dental profession.
- That the Universities of Harvard, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Vanderbilt have instituted and organized departments that are known as Dental Departments which are now in active operation.
- That if your Honorable body deem it expedient and will organize a Dental Department in the University of California and in connection with the Medical Department of said University we can and will give said Dental Department lecture and clinic room, free of expense.
- We are aware that a Dental Department was partially organized sometime since, but under such circumstances, that no progress has been made towards perfecting the organization and starting it into operation.
We think that if you will organize anew Dental Department, that with the facilities afforded by the Medical Department it can be put into operation immediately.
We would further state that we endorse the appointments you have already made in the Dental Department.
Very Respectfully,
Horatio Stebbins
Geoph Davidson
Wm Ashburner
B.B. Redding
Fred M. Campbell
