As the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh celebrated its historic 500th anniversary, the Faculty of Dental Surgery played a proud role in marking this milestone. In this personal reflection, Past Dental Dean Professor Jonathan Cowpe (2005-08) recounts memorable moments from two years of Quincentenary celebrations and shares his thoughts on the enduring legacy of the College and its global dental community.
Dental Faculty Recollections of RCSEd Quincentenary by Professor Jonathan Cowpe
When I opened the recent edition of Surgeons’ News, I enjoyed reading the recollections of the College’s Quincentenary celebrations penned by the President John Smith and Vice President Iain McIntyre. Their reflections triggered a rummage through my own dusty archive – a treasure trove of leaflets, journals, menus, and memories – as 10 years’ a member of Dental Council and later Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (2005–08). What a momentous time it was.
The Quincentenary of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), established in 1505, was no small affair. With 500 years of surgical and dental history to honour, it was inevitable that the celebrations would spill far beyond a single calendar year. If you were looking for a quiet year in the faculty back then, one would need to think again.
It all began with my predecessor Professor Jim McDonald, Dean from 2001 to 2005, whose period of office was extended to provide stability and continuity in the run-up to the Quincentenary. Jim played a central role in shaping the celebrations and festivities which, as ever, fully embraced the Dental Faculty as an integral part of the College family.
Some of the standout publications and events included:
- A Celebration of Science (29 June – 1 July 2005): a conference examining the evolution of surgical and dental science and practice.
- A Service at St Giles’ Cathedral (3 July 2005), preceded by a spectacular procession from Greyfriars Kirkyard, including many dignitaries worldwide
- From Here, Health: the official quincentenary publication, 2005
- The Surgeon – two special editions, including one dedicated to our friends and colleagues in Hong Kong. 2005, 2006
- Quincentenary Week a commemorative supplement, 2005
Dentistry featured prominently in all of these. Jim Mcdonald, in ‘From Here, Health’, highlighted the “Changing Face of Dentistry,” reminding us that dentistry has always been embedded in the College’s fabric. He even pointed out that King James IV, the same king who granted our ‘Seal of Cause’, was known to ‘dabble’ in dental procedures himself – perhaps the first royal to wield dental instruments?
Paul Geissler, in his piece “Tending Edinburgh’s Teeth,” recalled an earlier John Smith, the President’s 19th-century namesake and past College President. He conducted the first formal course in clinical dentistry. Meanwhile, Dorothy Geddes was honoured as the first woman Dean of the Dental Faculty (1993–96), in “Women and the RCSEd.”
There have been, over the years, Past-presidents of the College who also practised and taught the practice of dentistry, prior to the formation of the dental council in 1954 – 70 years ago, and subsequently the establishment of the dental faculty in 1982, recently celebrating its ruby anniversary. They include, James Rae (1764-66), his son John Rae (1804-06), Francis Brodie Imlach (1879-81), and John Smith (1883-85). John Gould, Dean 1989-92 uniquely sat on College Council in that role, as well as being an elected member in his own right.
As stated repeatedly over centuries and in numerous publications, this Royal College is one of the oldest medical organisations worldwide. It was established by Edinburgh Town council on 1st July 1505. It was awarded it’s ‘Seal of Cause’ as an incorporation of craft guild of Barber Surgeons. The status of the Barber surgeons was confirmed by King James IV on 13th October 1506. In light of this, it seemed reasonable for celebrations to extend over at least a two year period.
I was privileged to be elected to the Deanship, taking up post in October 2005 and delighted to have been, as a member of dental council, very much involved in the celebrations during that momentous year. When a College has been around for 500 years, it is difficult to squeeze everything into that one year. There were many activities allied to the Quincentenary that passed into the following year. This included a series of dental faculty activities which I was honoured to be involved in.
Faces Changing, Science Advancing
At the 2005 ‘Celebration of Science’ conference, sessions on “Changing Faces in the 21st Century” were chaired by Jim Mcdonald and Vice-Dean Howard Moody. Contributions also came from across Dental Council in the form of the article, “Significant Advances in Dental Care” (The Surgeon, June 2005), authored by J McDonald, J G Cowpe, J R Sandy, F Montgomery, J Goodman, T Burke and F McCord.
In the October 2006 Hong Kong Edition of The Surgeon, past Dean Murray Meikle (1999-2001) provided a detailed historical description of “The Evolution of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Twentieth Century: The Dunedin Connection.” He traced the influence of four giants, ‘the big four’ – Gillies, Kilner, McIndoe, and Mowlem – who had all studied or been born in Dunedin and went on to revolutionise facial reconstruction during WWII.
From Edinburgh to Bahrain
2006 was another banner year. The College under the auspices the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong ran a joint congress titled “Surgery: East Meets West.” Jim Mcdonald co-chaired a free paper session on dental surgery, while I, then as Dean, introduced Professor Jonathan Shepherd, who delivered the King James IV Lecture on “Preventing Violence, Caring for Patients” – a title as timely now as then. This prestigious award was the brainchild of Murray Meikle during his time as faculty Dean. Once again, this congress demonstrated the world-wide reputation of the oldest Royal College but also the inclusiveness shared between Surgery and Dentistry by this highly regarded institution.
In the middle east, Dr Nada Abbas Haffadh, Minister of Health in the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the Bahrain British Dental Congress, in 2006. She stated that the congress was of special significance that year because the event exemplified a ‘symbolic relationship’, as the congress was considered part of the College’s quincentenary celebrations. In addition, the vice-Dean at the time, Howard Moody, highlighted the partnership between colleagues in Bahrain and the College and made his own significant contribution to its success, as RCSEd co-ordinator. Oral presentations were delivered by College fellows and members, the Dean and immediate Past-Dean. In addition, pre-conference workshops were hosted by CJ Gibson, FJT Burke, WP Saunders and the CDO England, Raman Bedi. John Smith, President of the College, contributed to the diploma ceremony. My recollection as Dean was driving, myself, a future vice-Dean, Rob Chate and his wife Christine along with the President John Smith and his wife Valerie, around Bahrain. An interesting trip which included a sight of the soon to be opened Bahrain Formula 1 circuit and I still have the souvenir cap.
A Final hurrah with pomp and ceremony
Just when we thought the Quincentenary festivities had drawn to a close, the idea of a final dental diploma ceremony in Hong Kong emerged following discussions between myself and College President John Orr. This prestigious event took place on 23rd November 2007 – two years and five months after the “official” Quincentenary commencement.
The venue was the Academy of Medicine’s Jockey Club Building, hosted by the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong (CDSHK) as a conjoint ceremony with the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS), RCSEd. Dr John Ling, President of CDSHK, along with myself as Dean presided over the awards. As well as the awards of Fellowships in Dental Surgery, honorary, ad hominem and without examination to eminent colleagues from Hong Kong and China, the dental faculty medal, the dental faculty overseas medal and the conjoint MRD medal were presented. A significant number of successful examination candidates were awarded their fellowship and membership diplomas. In addition, three members of Dental Council RCSEd were honoured and privileged to be awarded Honorary Fellowships by the CDSHK, namely Malcolm Jones, Bill Saunders and yours truly. This event would appear to have been a fitting end to the Dental Faculty’s contribution to the College’s Quincentenary celebrations.
Celebrations near and far
A majestic dinner was held at Rundāle Palace in Latvia in June 2005, where the dental faculty long held exams. I recalled giving a speech (with Dean McDonald) and reminisced about serving as an examiner during the Eurovision Song Contest in Riga two years earlier. I believe the UK had scored ‘nil pointes’ that year. Also, in 2005, the faculty ran the first diet of membership in Oral Surgery in Riga. I believe that coincidently the Rundāle Palace was first written about in 1505!
More highlights
The annual faculty Burns Supper in early 2006, where the welcome included reference to the Quincentenary which was still very much in the air around hill square and beyond.
The formal opening of Quincentenary Hall by the College’s patron and honorary FRCS, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took place in 2006. Once again, a grand occasion, with a welcome from members of Council and Dental Council. It was a privilege for me as the new Dean to be part of the meet and greet party. He asked me why my gown was different. If I recall my response was “because we’re dentistry, Sir - we like to stand out.”
East of England educational events. Both took place across the border and were thought at the time to be the final dental faculty celebrations for the Quincentenary.
A dental faculty symposium in Churchill College, Cambridge in December 2005, organised by Rob Chate
A follow-up special care dentistry seminar in June 2006, marking a milestone in the recognition of this specialty by the GDC one year earlier. This was organised by two future vice-Deans, Sarah Manton and Rob Chate and was entitled ‘Special Care Dentistry, problem solving for patients who need special care’.
Reflections
Throughout the 500th anniversary celebrations – whether in Edinburgh, Hong Kong, Riga, Cambridge or Bahrain – the Dental Faculty of RCSEd stood proudly and visibly, contributing not only to the ceremonial splendour but also to the intellectual discourse and global engagement that define this ancient College’s modern mission. If one is wondering whether it’s appropriate for quincentenary events to span two whole years, well – when you’ve been around for half a millennium, you’ve earned the right to stretch the party. Besides, 2028 marks 250 years since the College was formally recognised by the award of its Royal Charter from King George III, in 1778.
Maybe it’s time to start planning the next celebrations?