THE FLYING AND SAILING DENTISTS: JOHN AND GILBERT CADDEN

The National Health Service, including ‘universal’ free dental care for the first time, came into being in July 1948. Attracting dentists to the islands, however, was initially a problem:

‘The provision of a full-time dental service for the islands of Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Mull, Tiree and Coll, is being considered by the Argyll and Bute Executive Council of the National Health Service. A member of the council said that dentists would be reluctant to practise on the islands until they were provided with accommodation … Emergency cases are dealt with by local doctors …. At the moment, the people on the islands have to make their own arrangements with dentists on the mainland.’ (Campbeltown Courier, 16 February 1950, p. 4)

It was 1951 before the first NHS dentist setup a surgery in Tobermory, with outreach to Tiree:

‘The islands of Mull, Coll and Tiree, and the peninsula of Ardnamurchan, are to have the services of a resident dental surgeon for the first time since the National Health Service was instituted. Thanks to a campaign launched by Tobermory Town Council, Mr William J. MacKillop, has agreed to set up practice in Tobermory in July. In the past, patients requiring dental treatment in the area have been forced to make a long steamer journey each way from the islands to Oban for each dental treatment they required … Tobermory Town Council are approaching the Argyll County Council and the Argyll and Bute Health Executive Council to make available for Mull, Coll and Tiree a mobile dental unit which, it is understood, has lain idle at Oban for ten years. Efforts in the past to get the services of a dentist have failed, largely because of a lack of housing. After Tobermory Town Council made one of their new Council houses available, no fewer than 26 applications from dentists in many parts of Britain were received.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 5 May 1951, p. 3)

Within two years, however, Mr MacKillop had moved on. (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 3 October 1953, p. 8)

By 1954 Tiree had a new dental service—one that was to make the national news:

‘Fears that the islands of Mull, Coll and Tiree would be left without a dentist since the departure of Mr MacKillop have been removed by an assurance received through Argyll and Bute Health Executive Council that another dentist, Mr Cadden, now of Glasgow, will be opening a practice in Tobermory by the end of March or beginning of April. This news was given at the March meeting of Tobermory Town Council, when it was stated that premises had been purchased for use as a surgery at 34 Main Street, Tobermory. It is understood that the new dentist will operate for three days per week in Tobermory, and will then serve the

remainder of the archipelago utilising a motor launch which is fitted with complete surgery equipment. Mr Cadden has already served other islands in the Inner Hebrides, including Colonsay, in this manner.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 27 March 1954, p. 4)

‘Next week Mr John Cadden, of Bearsden is flying to Tiree to check up on the many sets of dentures he’s fitted in the mouths of islanders. And there’ll be dozens of extractions and fillings waiting for him, too. For Mr Cadden is the dentist for Tiree—and all the islands in the West of Scotland south of Skye. He and his dentist brother Gilbert operate the largest area practice in Britain. Three months ago, Mr John Cadden flew from Renfrew to Tiree with a complete dental surgery. He set up his chair at the island’s airport. The patients came pouring in! They hired cars, in groups, and came from every corner of the island. Mr Cadden was so busy his mechanic had to become surgery assistant and secretary. They made dozens of impressions—and flew them to Glasgow. There Mr Gilbert Cadden built up the dentures—and flew them back to Tiree. The islanders had their false teeth within the week! This is only one part of the work of the dentist brothers. In summer they sail their own motor launch among the islands—pulling and filling teeth as they go. They built a surgery in the stern of their converted air-sea rescue launch. They visit Jura, Mull, Colonsay and other small islands. The travelling dentists began their rounds when a Colonsay man visited them for treatment in Glasgow, and said: “Wish we could have this at home.” Dentists John and Gilbert Cadden jumped at the chance. They’re probably the only dentists in Britain who get a wonderful welcome everywhere they go!’ (Sunday Post, 4 March 1956, p. 5)

‘The dentist will be in attendance at the Reef Airport, Tiree, for the week commencing 1 December.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 22 November 1958, p. 1)

‘Some dentists come by sea, and it is to two enterprising Glasgow brothers, who converted an RAF rescue pinnace into a floating surgery, that many Hebrideans now get relief from the “hell o’ a’ diseases”. The brothers established on the boats a dental workshop and sleeping accommodation, and undertook a service covering the islands of Colonsay, Jura, Tiree and Coll, with occasional visits to Rum and Eigg. Later, the circuit was extended to Mull and Islay, where surgeries are now held by them to give continuity of service. The service was maintained for two years solely through the enthusiasm of these yachtsmen-dentists, and the Department of Health did not subsidise it in any way, maintaining that the population of the islands were too small to expect a dental service to be supplied. But the atmosphere has improved, and one of the brothers said yesterday: “The Department now allows us part of our travelling expenses, and the service is being increasingly recognised by them.”’ (The Scotsman, 6 July 1960, p. 5)

In 1966 a film was made about a trip by John Cadden in the ‘Constance’ to provide dental treatment on Mull, Rum and Eigg.

The Caddens were also fine golfers:

‘Quiet, unassuming 36-year-old Knightswood dentist, Gilbert Cadden (Cardross) won the Windyhill golf trophy with a 70, which equalled the amateur course record set by Walker Cup player, Dr Frank Deighton, in the same event in 1953. The golfing dentist can thank his fine pitching and putting for this, his first tournament win.’ (Sunday Mail, 22 June 1958, p. 18)

In 1969, ‘A Trophy was donated for competition between The Western Isles Golf Club [in Tobermory] and Vaul Golf Club on the Isle of Tiree. The donors John and Gilbert Cadden had for many years given a peripatetic dental service to the two islands by means of a boat equipped with a dental surgery. The annual competition, played alternate years at Vaul and Tobermory, has become synonymous with fierce competition, good fellowship and hospitality of the highest order.’

Additional information is always welcome.

Dr John Holliday