Launch of new history trail location at Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry

Join us at the unveiling of our newest “Blue Plaque” as part of the University of Birmingham's history trail which will celebrate the work of two innovative Dentists, “Parrott and Round”, whose inventions have touch the lives of billions of people, and save the lives of many.  

The event will include lunch and a presentation on the history of dentistry by the University of Birmingham’s Professor of the History of Medicine, Jonathan Reinarz, looking at dental innovation through the ages.  There will be an opportunity to view some historical dental instruments and experience first-hand how challenging dentistry has been across the ages.  There will also be an optional tour of the new Dental Hospital/School for those who have not yet had an opportunity to view this state of the art facility.

Harold Round (a University of Birmingham alumnus) and his colleague Arthur Parrott were instrumental in developing an early version of the airbag to prevent impact jaw fractures during the First World War. 2019 marks 100 years since they filed the patent for the airbag and to mark the occasion our event will showcase their work while also featuring the innovations in dentistry that continues at the University of Birmingham a century later.

Event schedule:

• 12 noon – Arrival and welcome drinks
• 12.15pm – History of Dentistry talk -  Professor Jonathan Reinarz, Professor of the History of Medicine, with an introduction and history of the Dental Hospital by Professor Iain Chapple, Head of the School of Dentistry.
• 12.45pm – Unveiling of the Blue Plaque
• 1pm – Lunch - opportunity to view some historical dental equipment and instruments
• 1.45pm – Close and optional tour of the Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry