Adelaidean - News from the University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide Australia
October 2006 Issue
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Professor Milton R. Sims, AO (1927-2006)

 Obituary

The Dental School was saddened to learn of the sudden death of Professor Milton Reginald Sims on 31 May 2006. Professor Sims was an orthodontic pioneer who devoted his life to teaching, research and clinical service for the benefit of the University and the general community. He was acknowledged as an international leader in his field and was the recipient of many research and service awards.

Professor Sims gained his undergraduate dental degree from the University of Adelaide in 1950 and, after receiving a Fullbright Scholarship and starting a Master's Degree, pursued a love of orthodontics by travelling to the United States to complete a Master of Science in Dentistry degree from Boston University in 1963.

On returning to Australia as a Reader in Orthodontics, he became an inaugural Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, a fellow of the International College of Dentists, and was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Adelaide in 1985.

Concerned that there was no orthodontic program at the University of Adelaide and few in Australia, Professor Sims initiated and developed a postgraduate course which trained dentists in the art and science of orthodontics. Until his retirement in 1993, 45 students graduated from his program and went on to fulfil their professional obligations nationally and internationally.

All of his students were impressed with his clinical expertise and his attention to detail that marked his course as the finest in Australia and on a par with the best in the world.

Upon his retirement from the University of Adelaide, he accepted the Chair and became Head of the orthodontic department of the University of Sydney where he continued his teaching until the end of 1996.

As a disciple of P. R. Begg (1898-1983), Professor Sims championed the Begg treatment philosophy particularly when he was in the United States in the early 1960s. He provided many lectures and courses of instruction that ensured the University of Adelaide was on the world stage. Through his teaching efforts the Begg Technique blossomed to be accepted and adopted globally. Professor Sims was also responsible for the establishment of Begg study groups and societies in Australia and many countries overseas.

A keen and fastidious researcher, Professor Sims held a lifelong interest in the periodontal ligament surrounding the tooth and marvelled at its ability to facilitate tooth movement while maintaining its own integrity. His research into this unique structure lead to the publication of numerous articles and book chapters and, for his cumulative works, he was awarded a Doctor of Dental Science degree in 2004 from the University of Adelaide at the young age of 77 years.

After his retirement from clinical teaching, he maintained a heavy schedule of scholarship and research and, at the time of his death, was preparing teaching material for postgraduate presentation.

For his service to dental education and orthodontics Professor Sims was awarded the Order of Australia in June 2000. He was a proud contributor to the life of the Dental School and to the University and was an inspiration to all who knew him. His knowledge and expertise will be greatly missed. Vale Milton.

Contributed by Craig Dreyer

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Professor Milton Reginald Sims

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