The origin of our practice can be traced back to the early 1900’s.  Dr Robert Morse Withycombe started a general dental practice in the Wyoming building on the corner of Hunter and Macquarie Streets soon after 1909 when the building was completed, as far as we are aware.  He was later joined in practice by Dr Roy Cloutier and both announced in 1924 that they would be specialising in and restricting their practice to Periodontics.  These two gentlemen were perhaps the first practitioners in Sydney and perhaps in Australia, to practice as specialists in Periodontics. 

 

Geoffrey Morse Withycombe took over his father’s practice in the Wyoming building in 1936, soon after he graduated from University.  He lectured extensively at the University of Sydney and was a part-time teacher in Periodontics for dental undergraduates for 30 years and was a foundation member of the Australian Society of Periodontology (ASP).  He was joined in practice by Dr Kevin Long, who was also a foundation member of the ASP and Dr Long continued the specialist practice after Geoffrey Morse Withycombe’s passing in 1977.

 

Dr John Highfield, the senior member of the current Park Street Perio team, joined Dr Long in specialist Periodontics practice in 1979, having worked briefly in the same practice as a locum a few years before.  Dr’s Highfield and Long continued to practice in the Wyoming building until 1985, when they had to vacate, as the building was not compliant with modern fire regulations, which necessitated extensive internal refurbishment.  At that time, Dr’s Highfield and Long moved to the St James Trust building at 185 Elizabeth Street and at that point they separated the practice, as Dr Long was nearing retirement and did not wish to sign a new lease.  Dr Highfield continued to practice in the St James Trust building until late 2000, when the practice moved to 60 Park Street.

 

All of the specialists who have worked for the practice have demonstrated a commitment to teaching undergraduate and post graduate students in the field of Periodontics. Most notably in recent times, A/Prof John Highfield and A/Prof Chris Daly have both served as head of discipline, Periodontics at The University of Sydney Dental School and this role is currently occupied by Prof Axel Spahr.