College of Dentists of England

In 19th-century England, dentistry was developing as a distinct profession. In 1857, the College of Dentists of England was established by dental professionals seeking independence from the Royal College of Surgeons, which influenced the Odontological Society, England's first dental organization formed in 1856. The College of Dentists founded the Metropolitan School of Dental Science, a precursor to the University College Hospital Dental School.1

The Dentists Act of 1878 placed dentistry under the General Medical Council, leading to the creation of the Dental Register, an early form of licensure that mandated a specific curriculum for dental training. These regulations remained in place until 1921, when stricter examination and licensure requirements were introduced. The British Dental Association was founded in 1880 and continues to be a significant dental organization in the United Kingdom.1