James Smith Turner

James Smith Turner (27 May 1832 – 22 February 1904) was a Scottish dentist, known for his role in dental surgery regulation.

Born in Edinburgh on 27 May 1832, he was son of Joseph Turner and Catherine Smith his wife; his father, a hatter, was known as a political speaker against the Corn Laws.

[1] With John Tomes and others, Turner worked to converting dentistry into an organised profession.

The object of the committee was to obtain an act of Parliament to regulate dental practice, with a dentists' register, admittance to and removal from which should be under the supervision of the General Medical Council.

The British Dental Association was founded early in 1879, and Turner was for many years the president of its representative board.