G.J. Joubert

profielfoto G.J. Joubert
Party on the occasion of the graduation of G.J. Joubert as a dentist, in front of the society of student association Unitas Studiosorum Rheno-Traiectina (USR, Lucasbolwerk 8) in Utrecht. Source: Utrechts Archief

In 1923, G.J. Joubert graduated from the first dental training in the Netherlands, which was closed in 1988, due to budget cuts.

The dental training was founded in 1877 from the Utrecht clinic of Prof. H. Snellen Sr. with the cooperation of, among others, Dr Th. Dentz. The building at Wittevrouwenstraat 9 served as the first Dental Institute, after which lessons were given at the Jutfaseweg.

Years later, the faculty moved to the brand new F.A.F.C. Went building on the Sorbonnelaan. The nickname of this building was 'the punch card'. It was opened in 1974 and named "Transitorium 4". The building was far ahead of its time. For example, there was a layer of one and a half meters between each floor, so technicians could easily reach the electricity and all drainage and extraction pipes. The practicum rooms were also innovative and were adapted to the new arrangement of a sitting dentist and a lying patient. Before, the dentist used to stand and the patient used to sit down. The Went building has recently been demolished. The new building for RIVM is now being built on this site.

In 1988, 93 years of dentistry in Utrecht came to an end. The training stopped because there was a surplus of dentists and it was necessary to cut back on academic education. When a shortage arose again six years later, Utrecht University unsuccessfully tried to reopen the faculty.

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