Chapter One: A New Era in a Timeless Space
At Chapter One Dental, we’re proud to care for smiles in a building that’s seen more than just toothaches and toothbrushes. The story of 189 Bruntsfield Place stretches back to 1586, when the land was first owned by Thomas Aikenhead, an Edinburgh glover. By 1636, it passed into medical hands — John Livingston, an apothecary, and later his son, a doctor. From there, the Greenhill Estate grew, stitched into the city’s expanding fabric and echoing Edinburgh’s long-standing connection with medicine.
Fast forward to the 1880s, when renowned architect Hippolyte Jean Blanc added his touch to the street with a striking row of Queen Anne–inspired sandstone buildings, including the one we now call home. That same elegance still frames our windows today — only now, we’re as likely to welcome a digital scan as we are a smile.
The first dentist to work from No. 189 was George Francis Scott, who began practicing here in the early 20th century. Since then, a lineage of healthcare has filled these walls, from surgeons and apothecaries to dentists and sports injury specialists. For a while, rugby legend turned dentist James Niven Burnett held the reins, blending the grit of the pitch with the precision of oral care. His brother, Dr Harry Burnett, added his own layer to the story with a practice in sports medicine.
Today, we turn another page with Chapter One Dental Practice — a name that nods to the area’s literary roots and a belief that every healthy smile starts with a meaningful first step.
But dentistry has changed since the early days of hand-powered drills and candle-lit consultations. We're now in the digital age: think intraoral scanners instead of messy impressions, 3D imaging for precision diagnostics, and paperless records for seamless care. It’s not just about looking into the mouth anymore — it’s about understanding the person behind the teeth.
Here at Chapter One, we combine the heritage of our space with a future-thinking approach that’s tailored to you. From preventive guidance built around your goals to modern techniques that make treatment faster, more comfortable, and more effective — we’re writing a new chapter in a very old story.
And it’s just getting started.
