Dr. Lindsaywithstudents. Photo: University of Toronto, Dentistry Museum Collection Dr. Lindsay’s vision for dental education focused on preparing students to be medical scientists rather than craftsmen. He emphasized a thorough knowledge of human anatomy, clinical pathology and diagnostics. Soon, peoplewere traveling thousands of miles, which could take up to 2–3 weeks, to seek treatment from Dr. Lindsay. At that time, the working conditions for Dr. Lindsay were extremely challenging, he described in an article that the building where he worked “could hardly have had the status of a third-rate woodshed in Canada.” His first year and a half were spent on temporary fillings and treatments because his dental chair, instruments and supplies, which he had ordered before he left Canada, didn’t arrive in Chengdu until 1909. As the number of dental patients grew, the mission board set aside funds for a more functional building for Dr. Lindsay’s clinic. In 1909, the board passed an assessment for the establishment of a dental hospital but didn’t find a suitable location until 1911. Dr. Lindsay designed the facility and supervised its construction. Sze Shen Tze Dental Hospital was to be the first dental hospital in China. In 1911, the Xinhai revolution ended the Qing dynasty, the last of the monarchies that ruled China for more than 2,000 years. Political turmoil and summer heat interrupted construction intermittently, but the dental hospital was complete by the end of 1911. Just two weeks later, Dr. Lindsay and Alice went back to Canada for their first furlough. On January 1, 1912, when the National Assembly declared the establishment of the Republic of China, Dr. Lindsay was at the University of Toronto conducting post-graduate work. When Dr. Lindsay returned to China in the fall of 1913, he became superintendent of the dental hospital he had built. Dental Education in China In 1910, believing that more meaningful results could be accomplished with the same funds by educating Chinese students to carry out mission work indefinitely, the West China Union University was founded by the union of four missions, including the General Board of Missions of the Methodist Church of Canada. In 1914, under Dr. Kilborn’s leadership, a Faculty of Medicine was established at the university where Dr. Lindsay and another dental missionary, Dr. John Thompson, offered dental courses for students. In 1917, with the addition of Dr. Harrison Mullett, another dental missionary, the university formed a dentistry department within the faculty of medicine and Dr. Lindsay became its head. By 1919, the university had created a College of Dentistry, the first in China. Except for the time he was on sabbatical, Dr. Lindsay was the dean of this college until he left China in 1950. Dr. Lindsay’s vision for dental education focused on preparing students to be medical scientists rather than craftsmen. He emphasized a thorough knowledge of human anatomy, clinical pathology and diagnostics. He believed that dental professionals needed to possess a comprehensive understanding of both economics and health, which should be applied in the context of interpersonal interactions. While acknowledging advancements in oral medicine and science in the Western world, Dr. Lindsay championed the development of a uniquely Chinese dental education and practice system. He argued that importing knowledge without instilling professional ethics and ideals appropriate to the context of Chinese society would be less effective in a rapidly changing world. Dr. Lindsay taught oral physiology and anatomy, oral surgery, anesthesiology, and complete dentures. As a professor, Dr. Lindsay was a great mentor. He inspired the students to embody positive values and principles, becoming role models and advocated for the ideals necessary for the progress of the nation. He cared deeply about his students. When the dental school was established, many students needed their education to be heavily subsidized. Dr. Lindsay invested his personal funds into a student loan program and provided students with access to his library. He kept several typewriters, a multigraph machine, and other office equipment for the students to use to earn money to help cover some of their expenses. Overseas education was considered crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of dental education in China. Dr. Lindsay helped secure grants from different organizations, including the Rockefeller Foundation, to send outstanding dental students from West China Union University to universities in Canada and the U.S. 32 | 2024 | Issue 2 Issues and People
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