History

The second oldest dental college in the United States, Ohio College of Dental Surgery was chartered in 1845 “to give a course of instruction . . .necessary to a thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of Dentistry.”  Dr. James Taylor is credited as the founder of the college.  At the 27th annual commencement in 1873, O.C.D.S. proudly announced that it had graduated 270 dentists up to that point.  Included in that number was Lucy Hobbs Taylor, who in 1866 became the first woman ever to receive a D.D.S degree.

 

The 1904 Alethian shows a student body of 184—including two female students in each of the three classes.  The graduating class that year numbered 72.  Most students came from Ohio and the surrounding states of  Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

 

Students had chapters of the two main dental fraternities—Phi Alpha Chi and Psi Omega.  There were three musical groups—a glee club, a mandolin club and the O.C.D.S. Band.  Another formal organization was the Duscheirotos Club.  Students published the yearbook, which contained a considerable amount of creative writing.   Those from Kentucky had their own regional club.  

 

Through the years O.C.D.S. received both good and bad news coverage from newspapers.  In 1856 The Daily Gazette announced that the infirmary would remain open through the summer to provide free tooth extraction and perform other dental work for only a “trifle over the cost of material used.”  On the other hand, in 1897 several out-of-state newspapers reported that two O.C.D.S. students were hanged in Newport, KY for the decapitation of a young woman named Pearl Bryan. The story of her life and death later became the stuff of myth and legend as reported in Midwest Folklore. According to the Denver Post, the two students did dental work for Newport townspeople while awaiting execution.

 

In 1888 Ohio College of Dental Surgery became "affiliated" with the University of Cincinnati. Later publications  bore the sub-title “Dental Department of the University of Cincinnati.”  But O.C.D.S. never lost its name or independent status.  As late as 1923, newspapers were reporting a possible merger of the schools.  O.C.D.S. closed in 1926.