Amy Johnston (dentist)

Amy Isabella Johnston (5 April 1872–17 September 1908) was a New Zealand dentist and one of the first women in the country to qualify in dentistry.

Early life

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Johnston was born in Greymouth, West Coast, New Zealand on 5 April 1872.[1] She attended Greymouth High School.[1][2]

Career

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Johnston was apprenticed to a dentist in Blenheim, J.F. Wilson in 1893. She passed her dentistry qualifications and was registered in 1896.[1] She was either the second or third woman in New Zealand to qualify[2][3] and was one of five registered female dentists at that time.[1]

She worked with Wilson in Invercargill for about two years but in 1898 bought out Wilson's practice in Blenheim, making it likely that she was the first woman to own a dental practice.[1] In 1900 she returned to Invercargill and the following year declared herself voluntarily bankrupt as creditors were concerned she had left her business.[1][4] She continued to practice in Blenheim and Invercargill until 1908 when she died in Invercargill.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Brooking, Tom. "Amy Isabella Johnston". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Dental". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Otago & Southland Provincial Districts). Christchurch: The Cyclopedia Company. 1905. p. 833.
  3. ^ "Advertisements". Hastings Standard. 22 October 1896. p. 2. Retrieved 6 March 2022 – via PapersPast.
  4. ^ "Local and general news". Marlborough Express. 23 October 1901. p. 2. Retrieved 6 March 2022 – via PapersPast.