This year, 2021, marks a century of dental treatment in the building at 2, Hyde Park Road. SpaDental Plymouth is proud to be keeping up the tradition, and our patients are enjoying the benefits of a hundred years of scientific progress in dentistry.
A century of dental history
The practice was set up in 1921, by Mr Albert Stanley Oxley. Although he had been apprenticed to a dentist, he was not officially qualified as a dentist, but in those days there was nothing unusual in that.
An act of parliament introduced in 1878 to regulate the dental profession only introduced voluntary registration of dentists with the General Medical Council. When a new Dentists Act was passed in 1921, all newly qualified dentists had to register. Oxley, however, was able to continue practicing as he could prove that he was already working as a dentist.
Stanley Oxley and his wife had a son, Leo, who went to university, qualified as a dentist and worked alongside his father. Both father and son lived, with their families, and worked, at Hyde Park Lodge. In those days it was number 1 Hyde Park Road, later re-numbered to 2.
New hands
In 1972, David Smith bought the dental practice, and later sold to SpaDental, in conjunction with dentist Stephen Fletcher. This means that in one hundred years there have only been three owners of the dental practice.
SpaDental Plymouth is proud to continue serving the Plymouth community. Thinking back over a century of dental treatment, the progress in this field has changed people’s lives. We’re certainly pleased modern treatment is easier on the patient than a hundred years ago!
The rich history of Plymouth
Can you spot SpaDental Plymouth here?
If you’re reading this, the chances are you live in Plymouth and know a lot already about its rich heritage and history. Walking around the city, Plymouth is full of hidden corners and quirky stories. We all have our favourites. If you’re reading this on Facebook, please leave a comment to share your favourite spot.
Also, if you’re interested in the history of the city, and you haven’t seen them before, the aerial photograph above is from an excellent collection of images by Steve Johnson taken during the 1980s that you can find here. Steve has generously donated them to the public domain, free to browse and download. It’s well worth a browse. Perhaps you can find your own home or a corner of the city you love?
A sincere thank you to Mr David Smith for his help.
Also about SpaDental Plymouth: