George Eastman's European Dental Clinics
After establishing the Rochester Dental Dispensary in 1915, George Eastman went on to provide funding for similar institutions in Europe. Between 1929 and 1937, Eastman Dental Clinics were opened in London, Rome, Brussels, Stockholm and Paris. Eastman appointed Dr. Harvey Burkhart, director of the Rochester Dental Dispensary, to represent him in all necessary negotiations. Dr. Burkhart and his family frequently traveled overseas as Eastman's representative in these affairs. The clinics were all similar in that:
- They served indigent children through the age of sixteen, whose parents were unable to provide dental treatment
- Eastman gave one million dollars for the establishment of each clinic with the understanding that local authorities would take over management, funding, and upkeep
- The buildings were all architecturally similar
- Most of the clinics provided an opportunity for post-graduate training for dentists, and training for dental hygienists
- The waiting rooms of all the clinics contained decorative birdcages with live birds, and the walls were painted with lively murals to entertain the children and ease anxieties over dental treatment
- Dental units and chairs were furnished by Rochester's Ritter Dental Company
Select the images to read more about each institution.
Eastman Dental Clinic London
Dedicated November 19, 1930
Eastman Dental Clinic Rome
Dedicated April 21, 1933
Eastman Dental Clinic Brussels
Dedicated July 31, 1935
Eastman Dental Clinic Stockholm
Dedicated April 25, 1936
Eastman Dental Clinic Paris
Dedicated October 21, 1937