School of Dentistry historical photos

Before a school of dentistry at Loma Linda was established, J.R. Mitchell, DDS and his brother, Gerald, arranged for Atlanta Southern Dental School to accept 10 Adventist students not required to attend classes on Sabbath, making it feasible for a number of Church members to join the profession. Dr. J.R. Mitchell was founder and first president of NASDAD.

M. Webster Prince,DDS, 1st dean, 1952	J.R. Mitchell, DDS 1st president,NASDAD

 

Pictured are minutes from the October 21, 1951, General Conference Committee that recommended that "definite plans be laid at this Autumn Council for the launching of a Seventh-day Adventist School of Dentistry, to begin operating if possible by September of 1953" and pledging $750,000 to the project.

 

From the beginning, the School of Dentistry has trained numerous mission dentists to serve overseas, a tradition that continues to this day. Pictured left, Ray Wahlen, SD'57, was the first General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist-appointed missionary from the School of Dentistry. Dr. Wahlen served in Korea.

 

On January 28, 1970, the School of Dentistry building was renamed "M. Webster Prince Hall." It remained unchanged until 1976, when construction was completed on the addition of the south tower.