Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
Abertillery Dental Surgeons.
Messrs Weeks and Smart.
The earliest dental surgeries and dental surgeons I can find operating in the Abertillery area was in August 1892 when Messrs Weeks & Smart, Surgeon Dentists of the Barton House, Bristol were visiting Abertillery on the Tuesday 20th September between 9.00am and 11.00am. All information could be had from Mr Williams, 1 Carmel Street and Mr Price’s Chemist. Messrs Weeks & Smart were also visiting Blaina, Nantyglo and Brynmawr on the same day.
Mr Gear Evans.
In 1898 Mr Gear Evans was a Dental Surgeon who held a surgery in Mr Price’s Chemist, Abertillery every Thursday 10.30am to 4.00pm.
Mr Harvey Boots.
In 1902 Mr Harvey Boots, Dental Surgeon of Merthyr was visiting Abertillery every Tuesday and Wednesday, 11.00am to 8.00pm and 10.00am to 5.00pm respectively, for the purpose of supplying the residents of Abertillery with Artificial Teeth. He had a surgery in Tilney’s Chambers, Commercial Street, Abertillery.
Mr Howard Cosgrove.
In February 1903 Mr Howard Cosgrove, Dental Surgeon of Penarth was visiting Abertillery every Wednesday to supply the people of Abertillery with artificial teeth from 2/6d. each or whole sets from £1. 1s. 0d. and extractions free of charge. He had consultation rooms in Buckley’s Temperance Hotel.
In the same month Mr Harvey Boots moved his surgery from Tilney’s Chambers to Mr T. H. Prichard Chemist at the Medical Hall. Same consulting days and times.
Messrs Gill Williams & Mr C. C. Campbell.
In 1904 Mr Gill Williams & Mr C. C. Campbell were resident in the Limes House, Abertillery.
Anaesthetic.
In 1905 the German Chemist Mr Alford Einhorn developed a man-made anaesthetic called Novocaine, prior to this there was a Amylocaine and Stovocaine and earlier Cocaine. Before the use of anaesthetics the dentists used gases and ether, though more often than not just plain alcohol.
Tibberton’s High Class Artificial Teeth.
In 1906 Tibberton’s High Class Artificial Teeth, the Arcade, Abertillery were advertising in the local papers. Their opening hours were 9.00am until 8.00pm.
Mr V. A. Willis.
In 1906 Mr V. A. Willis R.D.S. Dental Surgeon of High Street Merthyr was consulting patients in Blaina, Brynmawr and in Abertillery at Prichard’s Chemist every Tuesday between 1.00pm and 7.00pm. Mr Willis was using gas for extractions at a cost of 5s. or the use of a new process at a cost of 2s. 6d. 0d. It doesn’t say what this new process for extractions was.
Mr D. Gore Boodle & Co.
In March 1906 Mr D. Gore Boodle & Co came to Abertillery and set up a surgery at 109 Somerset Street, Abertillery. They were later known as “Boodles Artificial Teeth”. I don’t believe they were there very long as the London Hygienic Institute were at the same address in 1909.
Mr Harrison.
In 1907 Mr Harrison a Dental Surgeon of Newport was visiting Abertillery every Monday and Saturday 10.00am to 7.00pm. His surgery was over Lloyds Bank in the Arcade, Abertillery. He was also visiting Ebbw Vale.
Gear Evans & Smith.
In 1907 Mr Evans had formed a partnership with Mr Smith and were still operating from Mr Price’s Chemist but were known as Gear Evans & Smith L.D.S R.C. S. Eng. They attended their surgery every Thursday and also had a change of times.
London Hygienic Institute.
In 1909 the London Hygienic Institute “Makers of High-Class Artificial Teeth” opened at 109 Cwm Street Abertillery. The manager was Mr George Swallow.
Mr Minchin.
In 1909 Mr Minchin Dental Surgeon was resident at his surgery at 29 Queen Street, Abertillery.
Mr C. A. Burpitt.
In August 1909 Mr C. A. Burpitt, Dental Surgeon had a surgery at 15 Somerset Street, Abertillery.
Messrs Williams and Craig.
In August 1910 Mr Gill Williams was in partnership with Mr James Craig held surgery in Mr Arthur Price’s Chemist every Monday from 10.00am to 5.00pm or by special appointment.
In May 1913 Mr Gill Williams set up a dental surgery in “Snowdon’s Cafe”, Carmel Street, Abertillery.
Messrs Rushton & Grail.
In 1913 there were dental surgeons called Rushton & Grail based in Abertillery, I have no information on the partnership though in July 1916 Mr Harry Grail was killed in a motorcycle accident at Pontypool at the age of 26 years.
Mr Harry R. Campion.
In 1914 Mr Harry R. Campion, Dental Surgeon set up his practice in the Highbury House, Abertillery. Mr Campion previously had a surgery at lower Alma Street though I am unsure of the dates he practised there. In 1919 he moved his surgery into premises next door and the Highbury House was put up for sale. In 1922 the Highbury House was purchased and used as a feeding centre then later turned into the Highbury Club, an annex to the Lymes Club.
Mr A. Howarth.
In 1915 Mr A. Howarth, Dental Surgeon had a surgery at 38 Castle Street, Abertillery. Mr Howarth was only there for a short while and in 1916 he moved his Surgery to 25 Gladstone Street, Abertillery.
Mr E. Grainger.
In 1916 Mr E. Grainger, Dental Surgeon was based at 8 Carmel Street.
Messrs Burpitt and Hazel.
Mr C. A. Burpitt was in a business partnership with Mr William S. Hazell. I have no information on their surgery though may have still been in 15 Somerset Street.
Mr Hopkins.
In 1918 Mr Hopkins, Dental Surgeon had a surgery at 10 Roseberry Street, Abertillery.
Mr S. Stoner.
In 1919 Mr S. Stoner, Dental Surgeon had a surgery at 7 Oak Street, Abertillery.
Mr John Percy Hall.
In 1920 Mr John Percy Hall, Dental Surgeon had a surgery at “Neuadd House” 41 Neuadd Street, Abertillery. On 25th of May 1921, Mr Hall passed away, at the time his surgery was at Oak Street, Abertillery.
Mr Maurice James Langdon.
In January 1920 Mr Maurice James Langdon, Dental Surgeon had a surgery at “Wilcrick House” 20 Alexandra Road, Six Bells, Abertillery.
Mr Langdon was a native of Truro, Cornwall, he had served in the Royal Garrison Artillery. In January 1931 he died from falling down stairs at his lodging house at 66 Duke Street, Abertillery.
The Dental Institute at Oak Street.
In March 1920 the Dental Institute at Oak Street was at 21 Oak Street, Abertillery. It was a limited company under the control of Mr George E. Wessendorf and had just opened branches at Bethcar Street, Ebbw Vale and at 5 Marine Street, Cwm.
Messrs Humphry & Hepple.
In July 1920 Messrs Humphry & Hepple Ltd, Dental Surgeons had a surgery at 47 Church Street, Abertillery.
Mr Vernon Coates.
In February 1921 Mr Vernon Coates, Dental Surgeon had a surgery in King Street, Abertillery.
Miss Fanny Mason.
In April 1923 Miss Fanny Mason was appointed School Clinic Nurse and Dentist for the Abertillery Education Committee.
Miss Ness Stewart Muir.
In February 1927 a new dental nurse was appointed by the Abertillery Education Committee, Miss Ness Stewart Muir. Miss Muir was the daughter of the late Dr D. C. and Dr Isabella Muir, the Abertillery Collieries Doctors. Miss Muir’s salary was £450-£600 per annum. She had been a Dental Surgeon at the Evelina Children’s Hospital at Charing Cross, London.
Mr Frank G. Evans.
In March 1929 Mr Frank G. Evans son of Mr H. J. Evans of the Woodlands, Oak Street, Abertillery achieved the following degrees in dentistry – L.D.S and R.C.S. He had trained at Leicester Square, London and in 1929 was given the post of Assistant Dental Surgeon at Glamorgan Council.
(Later Dentists and Dental Surgeries to come)