Boy With Rotten Teeth: Forsyth Dental Infirmary, 1920
A dentist holds open a boys mouth to expose his rotten teeth at the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children in Boston, 1920.
The Forsyth family emigrated from Scotland in the 1830s. William Forsyth pioneered the manufacture of vulcanized rubber goods. His four sons continued his business interests in the production of textiles combined with vulcanized rubber, creating substantial wealth for the family. Before his death, James Bennett Forsyth had begun discussions of establishing a dental clinic for the children of Boston. The origins of this dream stemmed from a simple conversation with his dentist about the pressing need for dental care for underserved children.
In 1910, James’ two surviving Forsyth brothers, Thomas and John, along with their sister Mary, fulfilled his dream by founding the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children in Boston, Mass. Opening its doors in 1914, the new clinic provided complete oral therapy for children, with an emphasis on prevention of dental cavities.
Dental interns and graduate dentists staffed the clinic. Thomas Forsyth remarked at the dedication ceremony, “It has been my wish that the Infirmary should be a home to the children, beautiful and cheerful; a protector of their health, a refuge in their pain.” In its first ten years, the Infirmary had treated over 150,000 children for dental and craniofacial problems.
The Forsyth Dental Infirmary focused primarily on the oral health needs of Boston’s disadvantaged children. In addition, it provided advanced clinical training for graduate dentists. These programs offered the opportunity for all children under the age of sixteen, regardless of socio-economic background, to obtain dental examinations and care for their teeth. More than 500,000 children, received free dental care at Forsyth.
In 1915 Forsyth embarked on its first scientific research program - discovering the first connections between dental decay and fluoride, nutrition and bacteria. As a result of these important discoveries, the dental profession was inspired to examine the scientific basis for oral disease. It also recognized that oral hygiene was a key factor in controlling disease. Forsyth was a progressive and pioneering leader in oral health in America; it launched the School for Dental Hygienists in 1916 and offered a highly regarded training program for dental hygienists until 2002.
The Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children is now called the Forsyth Institute, and focuses on research rather than training.
I wonder if that boy's teeth were able to be saved?