Description
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Washington University School of Dental Medicine Records
Date(s)
- 1866-1989 (Creation)
Extent
20.65 cubic feet (39 boxes)
Name of creator
Administrative history
The dental school originally began in 1866 as the Missouri Dental College. It was only the sixth dental school opened in the United States, and it was the first dental school established west of the Mississippi River. At the time, the School used the lecture rooms, museum, and hospitals of the St. Louis Medical College, which was located at 7th and Clark Avenue in downtown St. Louis. In 1891, the faculty of St. Louis Medical College agreed to affiliate with Washington University. The Missouri Dental College followed suite in 1892, and its name changed to the Dental Department of Washington University.
The dental school eventually moved to the School of Medicine campus in 1928 into a building at 4559 Scott Avenue. The new building featured an amphitheater, lecture rooms, science labs, and multiple clinics. Teaching internships were established at Barnes and St. Louis Children's Hospitals in the late 1930s. During the Second World War, an accelerated curriculum was offered where the curriculum was compressed into three calendar years.
Throughout its existance, the dental school struggled financially. Discussions about closing the dental school arose in the early 1950s. In 1972, the National Institutes of Health agreed to provide almost all of the funds necessary (nearly three million dollars) to renovate and reequip the dental school's building. This remodel greatly alliviated some financial pressures, however the dental school continued to struggle.
In June 1989, the Board of Trustees decided to close the school. This decision was based upon budget deficits; increasing tuition rates; competition from less-expensive, state-funded dental schools; limited outside funding; and a declining student pool. The 125th and final class of students graduated from the Washington University School of Dental Medicine in 1991.
Scope and content
This large collection contains a number of meeting minutes, including those from the Missouri Dental College faculty and board of trustees, as well as minutes from the dean and faculty of the Washington University School of Dental Medicine. Also included in this collection are accreditation documents, curriculum materials, student yearbooks, publications, and various alumni records. Of note is Series 6 which consists of the files kept by Harriett Steuernagel, the long-time librarian at the dental school.
System of arrangement
Conditions governing access
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Users of the collection should read and abide by the Rights and Permissions guidelines at the Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives.
Users of the collection who wish to cite items from this collection, in whole or in part, in any form of publication must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Archives.
For detailed information regarding use of this collection, contact the Archives and Rare Book Department of the Becker Library (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Preferred Citation:
Item description, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Custodial history
The School of Dental Medicine Records were transferred to the Becker Medical Library in multiple accessions in 1992.
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
- Dental medicine - history, Vertical File
- Lasky Cleft Palate and Oral Cancer Rehabilitation Center, WU School of Dental Medicine, Vertical File
- WU School of Dental Medicine, Vertical File
- Leland Keller Collection
- Washington University School of Dental Medicine Photographs and Negatives
- Washington University School of Dental Medicine, Edward H. Gill Series Photographs
- Washington University School of Dental Medicine, Dental Series Photographs
- Washington University School of Dental Medicine Artifacts and Instruments
- Washington University School of Dental Medicine Photographs
- Washington University School of Dental Medicine Memorial Room Photographs and Negatives
- Washington University School of Dental Medicine Class Photographs
- Washington University School of Dental Medicine Structures Photographs
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Rules or conventions
"Describing Archives: A Content Standard, Second Edition (DACS), 2013."
Sources used
Archivist's note
© Copyright 2019 Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives. All rights reserved.