The Story of Orthodontics: The Important Contribution of George Northcroft

Jonathan Alexander Abt

The Story of ORTHODONTICS

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Jonathan Alexander Abt

THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION OF GEORGE NORTHCROFT Th e r e a r e ma n y imp o r t an t figures throughout the history o f o r t h od on t ic s , o n e o f w h o m is George Northcrof t. Born in 1869, N o r t h c r o ft wa s ed u c at ed in England – at Woodhouse G r o v e a n d L eys S c h o o l – b efo r e being awarded a scholarship t o s t u d y d en t is t r y a t t h e U n iversity of Michigan in 1 8 9 0 .

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eturning to England, Northcroft achieved his English qualifications from the London School of Dental Surgery, before setting up practice on Wimpole Street and later on Harley Street.

An engaged and active member of the dental community, Northcroft was the Treasurer, President and Chairman of the Rep Board of the British Dental Association, as well as taking responsibility for the BDA’s museum.

Jonathan Alexander Abt

Northcroft’s personal passion for orthodontics extended to his own family, as he studied and observed the growth of his children’s teeth, making a set of growth study models of his son from the age of 6 until he turned 21.

Northcroft was a member of the European Orthodontic Society – where he acted as President in 1927 – as well as the American Dental Society of Europe and the Odontological Section of the Royal Society of Medicine. In 1907, Northcroft formed the BSSO, which aimed to further the education and promotion of the orthodontic profession.

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JONATHAN ALEXANDER ABT For further information about the history of orthodontics, visit the blog of Jonathan Alexander Abt.