Bruce Pynn:
“This book is a highly informative and captivating read…With its broad appeal to dental professionals, academics, and alumni, this book is a valuable addition to the history of dentistry in Canada and deserves recognition for its substantial contributions.”
Carlos R. Quiñonez, Vice Dean and Director of Schulich Dentistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, and editor, Ontario Dentist:
"Kenny and McKellar provide an enjoyable, readable, detailed, and rich institutional history of Western’s dental school. The history they present is remarkable in that it not only paints a vivid picture of the personalities involved and their motivations, but also manages to deftly position these figures within larger scientific, professional, academic, social, and political contexts, thus offering so much more in terms of historical understanding. There is no doubt that Kenny and McKellar have expertly contributed to the history of dentistry in Canada, and to an area in the history of medicine that receives little to no attention."
John Yoo, Dean, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University:
"Kenny and McKellar have done a masterful job of archiving the comprehensive history of dentistry at Western University and in the process have woven a fascinating story of adventure, resilience, and optimism."
Kenneth Wright, Retired Adjunct Clinical Professor, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University:
"Transforming Dentistry skillfully combines the personal stories of students and staff within a changing academic context to weave an engaging narrative of Western’s dental school. The diverse politics, philosophies, and professional interests that have animated dental education over the last 50 years will be of great interest to practitioners and the general public alike."
Carol P. Herbert, Professor Emerita and Dean Emerita, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University:
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading Transforming Dentistry. The story reads like an adventure novel. The commitment of the university’s faculty, leaders, and allies to an academic vision for dentistry at Western, in addition to their creativity and persistence in spite of continuing systemic obstacles, is both impressive and inspiring."
Stan Kogon, Professor Emeritus, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University:
"One might think this book is intended only for faculty, staff, alumni, and current students at Western’s School of Dentistry. Without doubt, that audience will find engagement not just in their period of tenure, but also in the ebb and flow of their alma mater over time. However, the manner in which a complex institution such as Western’s Dental School faces a range of external and internal challenges can be instructive and translatable to other faculties. David J. Kenny and Shelley McKellar have taken on a most difficult task and have managed to produce a book which can be both enjoyed and studied."
Robert Y. McMurtry, Professor Emeritus of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University:
"Transforming Dentistry is an excellent book by any measure. It is meticulously researched and clearly presented and should be considered the definitive work on the history of dentistry at Western University. The book vividly captures the difficulties of a faculty dealing with the central administration with insight on the pressures brought to bear on both parties. Transforming Dentistry is a worthy addition to the archives of not only Western University but all major Canadian universities."
Tracey L. Adams, Professor of Sociology, Western University:
"In Transforming Dentistry, David J. Kenny and Shelley McKellar have written an engaging history of the dentistry programs at Western University. Although there is plenty of detail here that will appeal to those with a keen interest in dentistry and dental education, this work is far-reaching, illuminating how professional, economic, and social trends combine with politics – at federal, provincial, and university levels – to shape the course of professional education in universities. This is a compelling tale full of tumult, drama, and intrigue."
James W. Shosenberg, author of The Rise of the Ontario Dental Association: 125 Years of Organized Dentistry and The Rise of the Ontario Dental Association: 150 Years of Organized Dentistry:
"We need to understand the past to foresee the future. This outstanding book is essential to understand both the founding of the Western University’s dental program and how it evolved to become a partner in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. If you were involved, your name is in this book … and dentistry’s future is forever in your debt."
