History of the Department of Orthodontics of the Medical University of Gdańsk

The history of the Department of Orthodontics at the Medical University of Gdansk is linked to the beginnings of the creation of the Faculty of Dentistry within the Medical Academy organized after the war. Subsequent changes, resulting in the renaming of the Faculty of Dentistry to the Department of Dentistry of the Faculty of Medicine of the Medical University of Gdańsk in 1950, resulted in the establishment of the Department of Orthodontics in 1951. The first head of the new unit was Halina Lubaniec-Słońska, DDS. Over the following years, the Department of Orthodontics conducted intensive scientific and didactic activities. Scientific research was carried out, students were educated, and internships and specialization courses were conducted. The staff of the Department, following the dynamically changing trends in orthodontic treatment, systematically improved their qualifications, taking part in training courses both in the country and abroad. This made it possible to conduct interesting scientific research and highly specialized treatment of patients at the Department of Orthodontics in Gdańsk

Aim.
This paper aims to describe the history of the Department of Orthodontics of the Medical University of Gdańsk since its establishment in 1951 until the present times. It presents how the directions of scientific research have changed over the years. It also introduces profiles of people who created the scientific and didactic achievements of the Department.

Material and methods.
The research material includes publications, the content of the university’s resolutions, as well as personnel data from the Human Resources Department regarding the activities and course of employment of the employees of the former Medical Academy of Gdańsk and the current Medical University of Gdańsk.