George Northcroft

George Northcroft (1868^[1] - 1943) was a British orthodontist who is known for his contributions in the formation of the British Orthodontic Society.^[2] The society was initially formed in 1907 as British Society for the Study of Orthodontics (BSSO) and the name later changed to British Orthodontic Society. He also played an important role in formation of the Dental Act of 1921 which made dentistry a profession in Great Britain.^[3]

Life

He attended Woodhouse Grove School and The Leys School in Cambridge, England. He then received a scholarship to study dentistry at University of Michigan School of Dentistry where he obtained his degree in 1890. He then attended the London School of Dental Surgery to attain a dental degree in England. He then practiced for 8 years in Windsor, England. He joined the British Dental Association in 1893 and in 1932 he became the President of the association. He helped found and later became the president of the British Society for the Study of Orthodontics, serving from 1909 to 1939.^[4]

He became a member of many organizations such as the Odontological Section of the Royal Society of Medicine, of the American Dental Society of Europe, and of the European Orthodontic Society. He became president of European Orthodontic Society in 1927. He was also founder of the London Hospital Dental School.

Orthodontics

In 1907, Dr. Northcroft and some of his friends got together and discussed topics related to Orthodontics. This group of men came together to form British Society for the Study of Orthodontics (BSSO). Dr. Northcroft was interested in studying the growth and development of the skull and jaws related to children. Therefore, he took dental impressions and facial plaster models of his son William during the age of 6 years to 21 years. Dr. Northcroft thus produced the first study of 3D facial growth.^[5][6]

During yearly conference of British Orthodontic Society, Northcroft Memorial Lecture is delivered by an outstanding orthodontist.^[7][8]

Awards

• Order of the British Empire for his service during WW1

References

1. "George Northcroft". British Orthodontic Society (BOS). Retrieved 2024-04-28.
2. "British Orthodontic Society > Museum and Archive > History of Orthodontics > Key Figures > George Northcroft". www.bos.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
3. Holland, Caroline (2007-06-23). "That great palace of truth". British Dental Journal. 202 (12): 762–763. doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.541. ISSN 0007-0610. PMID 17589475.
4. "George Northcroft". British Orthodontic Society (BOS). Retrieved 2024-04-28.
5. Northcroft, George (1931-02-01). "Two cases in orthodontic practice". International Journal of Orthodontia, Oral Surgery and Radiography. 17 (2): 156–159. doi:10.1016/S0099-6963(31)80021-3.
6. Northcroft, George (1929-08-01). "The idea of normality in orthodontics". International Journal of Orthodontia, Oral Surgery and Radiography. 15 (8): 745–748. doi:10.1016/S0099-6963(29)90229-5.
7. Meikle, Murray C. (2008-09-01). "Northcroft Memorial Lecture 2007. A century of progress: advances in orthodontics since the foundation of the British Society for the Study of Orthodontics". Journal of Orthodontics. 35 (3): 176–190. doi:10.1179/146531207225022617. ISSN 1465-3125. PMID 18809781.
8. Hunt, Nigel; Shah, Rishma; Sinanan, Andrea; Lewis, Mark (2006-09-01). "Northcroft Memorial Lecture 2005". Journal of Orthodontics. 33 (3): 187–197. doi:10.1179/146531205225021660. ISSN 1465-3125. PMID 16926312.