Foundation of the College
Objects
The objects for which the College is established are:
- To advance the science and art of dentistry.
- To encourage study and research in the field of dental science and cognate subjects.
History
In the years following World War II there arose in Australia a growing need for clinical postgraduate training at an appropriate level. The University Dental Schools were developing in accordance with traditional practice where emphasis upon research and higher degrees was becoming more and more the requisite for a career in the academic field. Specialists and general practitioners sought further qualifications and advanced clinical training in other countries, and, to meet this need, in the year 1956 the setting up of a College of Dentists was first proposed.
Two alternative plans were suggested for the inauguration of such a College. First there was the British precedent where a Faculty of Dental Surgery has been established by and within the framework of the Royal College of Surgeons, and secondly there was the proposal that the dental profession should establish its own independent and autonomous College of Dental Surgeons.
The Australian Dental Association, as the official dental organisation of the nation gave consideration to each of these proposals and decided to explore the former. The suggestion that a Dental Faculty be set within its structure was made to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons on a basis similar to that of its Faculty of Anaesthesia. However after three years of careful consideration the "College of Surgeons" advised the Association it could not proceed with the proposal.
The Association therefore proposed that the profession should establish its own autonomous College. In June 1962 a committee was appointed to investigate such a project, and it made a thorough study of the procedures which had been adopted by the various medical colleges in their inauguration. It also undertook a vast amount of detailed planning - all matters of broad policy being reported to and approved by the Association.
On 14th March 1965 this Committee by mutual agreement, severed its connection with the Australian Dental Association, adopted a constitution which it had prepared, and became the Interim Council of the Australian College of Dental Surgeons. Dr. A. Gordon Rowell, who had acted as the Chairman of the Association's Committee, became the first President of the College and served in that office for two terms.
In order to establish the College, all members of the profession who after graduation had proceeded to a further degree or diploma, were invited to become Inaugural Fellows. In all some 675 individuals availed themselves of this privilege. However, on 28th February 1969 this privilege ceased and thereafter admission of Fellows has been strictly by examination.
The growth of the College during the first four years resulted in problems of administration and organisation and the redrafting of certain clauses of the Constitution became necessary to meet such contingencies as may be expected in the future.
Incorporation of the College was effected in Canberra on September 11, 1970.
The subscribers to the initial Constitution who formed the Australian College of Dental Surgeons were:
ALWYN JAMES ARNOTT
93 Drumalbyn Road,
Bellevue Hill, N.S.W. Oral Surgeon
KENNETH THOMAS ADAMSON
111 Collins Street,
Melbourne, Victoria. Orthodontist
WILLIAM ALAN GRAINGER
49 Park Street
Sydney, N.S.W. Dental Surgeon
ROBERT HARRIS
15 Ormond Street
Ashfield, N.S.W. Dental Surgeon
WILLIAM KEITH ROSS MACKENZIE
A.M.P. Building, Edward Street,
Brisbane, Qld. Oral Surgeon
ALFRED GORDON ROWELL
231 Macquarie Street
Sydney, N.S.W. Dental Surgeon
In August 1972, Her Majesty the Queen graciously granted permission for the use of the title "Royal". Arrangements were then put in hand for the design of the College Arms. These were finally received from the College of Arms in 1976 and Letters Patent announcing the granting of Arms are displayed in the College office. Permission was later granted in March, 1977 by Her Majesty for the name of the College to be changed to "Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons".
Reciprocity with the four Royal Colleges in the United Kingdom in respect of the Primary Examination was also granted in March 1977. This recognition may be regarded as a milestone in the development of the College.
Provision for Examinations at an Advanced Level in Special Fields of Dentistry for Fellows of the College has been introduced and Appendices and Guides for Study are now available in Oral Surgery, Posthodontics and Endodontics.
In 1983 Election of Fellows at an Advanced Level without examination was allowed to distinguished Fellows of the College.
At a meeting on 15 November 1985 Council resolved that a second stream of entry to the College by an examination in each specialty recognised by the College is desirable to ensure a continuing and enlarged membership. Council decided that the Primary Examination would be retained for this specialist stream but that candidates instead of proceeding to the present Final examination would undertake a specialist examination which would be at a level corresponding to examinations at an Advanced Level. This second stream to be known as the 'Special Stream to Fellowship'.
In 1988 the College established Sections within its structuring the first Section being in the special field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
In 1996 the description "Section" was changed to "Division".
Source: Constitution pages 5-10
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