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History General

A Dentist and a Gentleman

Gender and the Rise of Dentistry in Ontario

by (author) Tracey L. Adams

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Nov 2000
Category
General, Men's Studies, History
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802048264
    Publish Date
    Nov 2000
    List Price
    $76.00
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781487505585
    Publish Date
    Jan 2000
    List Price
    $29.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442670297
    Publish Date
    Nov 2000
    List Price
    $77.00

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Description

The historical development of dentistry as a profession in Ontario from the late nineteenth century to the end of the First World War is used as a case study to explore the significance of gender, particularly masculinity, in the formation of professions. Adams argues that gender was central to the establishment of the dental profession. Over time, dentistry developed from being a trade to garnering professional status. The early dentists worked to recruit, and indeed structured the profession in such a way as to recruit, middle-class white men into the profession. Gender and class divisions were drawn upon both to define and legitimate professional roles and claims to professional status; by definition, a professional was a gentleman.

"A Dentist and a Gentleman" uses historical documents including dental journals and dental board and association meeting minutes to detail both the key events in the establishment of the dental profession and the efforts of professional leaders to define and structure their profession to meet the gentlemanly ideal. "A Dentist and a Gentleman" is a fascinating social history for anyone interested in profession creation and gender and professions.

About the author

Tracey L. Adams is a professor in the Department of Sociology at Western University. Her earlier work, A Dentist and a Gentleman, is also published by University of Toronto Press.

Tracey L. Adams' profile page