Chicago College of Dental Surgery
Chicago College of Dental Surgery, circa 1930
Credit: Loyola University Chicago Archives & Special Collections
Founded in 1883, the Chicago College of Dental Surgery came to be recognized as one of the foremost dental schools in the world under the leadership of its first dean, Dr. Truman W. Brophy.
A Native of Illinois, Dr. Brophy received his M.D. degree from Rush Medical College, and his D.D.S. from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery. His surgical techniques in cleft palate operations is still recognized today and his many contributions to the advancement of dentistry gained him honors from learned societies both here and abroad.
Among the educational "firsts" for the school were a complete apparatus for the cultivation of bacteria by students, and organizations of freshmen classes for practical work in operative and prosthetic skills.
Another of the deans, Dr. W. H. G. Logan, developed the organization which became the basis for the formation of the Armed Forces Dental Corps.
One of its first graduates and later a distinguished professor at the school was Dr. C. N. Johnson, who served as friend and advisor to many students down through the years.
Dr. C. N. Johnson served as dean of men at the Dental School for many years. A Canadian by birth, he was educated at colleges in Canada and graduated from the Royal College of Dental Surgeons in 1881 with an L.D.S. degree. He received a D.D.S. from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1885 and an A.M. from Lake Forest College in 1896.
A prolific writer, Dr. Johnson wrote more than 550 editorials and 200 articles for various professional dental publications. His book on operative dentistry was considered an outstanding work in the profession at the time.
Dental school laboratory, circa 1950s
Credit: Loyola University Chicago Archives & Special Collections
Another distinction came to the dental school in 1934 when the Royal College of Surgeons, London, England, placed the school on its list of recognized dental schools - an honor which was accorded to only eight other dental schools in the U.S.
The dental school, which once had a football team which played and lost to Notre Dame, was first located at 59 E. Adams St., Chicago, and later moved to 1757 Harrison where its clinic, at peak, received up to 80,000 patient visits a year.