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Walton Dentistry

The history of the production of dental equipment in Walton dates back to a Mr. Edward Power. Power had been working on dental equipment from a shed behind his father's chemist shop on Walton High Street. In the late 1880s, he decided his production had outgrown this modest enterprise and he set up an instrument factory on Churchfield Road, Walton.

The Power Manufacturing Company Ltd, established in 1902, was taken over by Claudius Ash, Sons & Company in 1907. Claudius Ash started his own career in central London as a silversmith and jeweller in the early 1800s. After some commissions for gold and silver teeth from high end dentists, Ash soon set up a 'dentistry' arm to his thriving business.

Power's factory worked solely for Claudius Ash, Sons & Company. Edward Power acted as Managing Director until 1924, when it merged with De-Trey of Kentish Town to form the Amalgamated Dental Company.

As with many businesses and livelihoods, World War II had a monumental impact on Walton's dental factory; a large part of the factory was given over to making parts for Wellington and Mosquito bombers as well as hand tools and medical equipment for use by military medics.

After the war Walton's factory saw a huge rise in orders; dental equipment was in high demand as many of the European factories had been destroyed. However, with a shortage of labour and with long turnaround times, this glimmer of hope of international expansion faded. Late into the 1970s, after many years of struggling, the decision was made to close the Walton factory.

Elmbridge Museum holds a number of original items produced at the Amalgamated Dental Company's Walton factory as well as photographs which illustrate a century of local history. You can see a selection here.