First Dentist in Bainbridge

First Dentist in Bainbridge

 

An article appeared in the Republican of three weeks since in regard to Dr. O.S. Hill, dentist in Bainbridge and his four sons, who were reared in Bainbridge, and who, as each grew to manhood, chose the dental profession.  This is an unusual record for one family, but there is an interesting history connected with the long line of honorable practitioners of dentistry in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], which we propose to give in a series of articles.

 

In 1818 the first dental office was opened in Bainbridge by Dr. Richard Griswold.  He came here a young man of 22 years of age and took up a field of work which hitherto had been a sealed book to small places.  The prominent people of the town who had been accustomed to going to cities to be served in that line, soon discovered in the bright, quick, alert young dentist, with his vivid personality, the skill which was rare to find at that period.  Dr. Griswold commanded speedily a wide patronage which he held until old age weakened his hand.  The most difficult cases which required varied treatment he was never at a loss to cope with.  Much of his success was due to the resources of his mechanical skill, his knowledge being so perfect that he could turn out an instrument of any fineness to suit the emergency of the demand.  As to the filling of teeth and the permanence of the work, he probably had no superior in the methods then used.  There are people living in Bainbridge today who can exhibit teeth filled by Dr. Griswold, and under the old process, that are in excellent condition.  The plates made by him, until the latter part of his practice, were of gold or silver.

 

Dr. Griswold was called a goldsmith and silversmith as well as dentist, and was very ingenious in that line.  He made for many years the marriage rings used by bridal couples in this vicinity and converted silver coin into spoons of beautiful designs for wedding presents.

 

The first dentist in Bainbridge, Dr. Griswold, was for fifty years one of the most interesting personages of our place.  He was of small stature, almost childish in physique, but possessed a face wonderfully expressive in intelligence, was highly educated, a man of versatile talents, extremely companionalbe, possessing a gay, youthful and poetical temperament which was always attractive to young and old.

 

Dr. Griswold died in 1871 at the age of 75 years.  Three sons, George, Norman and John became dentists and settled elsewhere.