Sink your teeth into this Museum

Sink your teeth into this Museum

The Tooth Stool

In this series of write-ups on well known, known and lesser known places let’s take a peek into the dream destination for any globe trotter, London that stand out for its scientific signature; be it for the cruise on Thames, the bridges, the architectural marvels or the monuments. For us, it was Science Tourism. This write up is on another unique destination but equally significant for anyone to visit.

 

Visit to a museum, and that too, a dental museum, doesn’t that sounds intriguing and interesting at the same time. The British Dental Museum houses around 25000 items that tell tale the development of dental profession in the United Kingdom. From as early as 17^th century until present day, the exhibits that attract the visitors include dental chairs, dentures, drills, products for oral hygiene, and of course, the Waterloo teeth. 

Teeth and Dentures

 A serious thought to promote good oral health, or technically speaking preventive dentistry came into existence, in real sense around twentieth century. That led the individual dentists; industrial houses and organizations including public bodies to popularize oral hygiene and its impact on overall health status of an individual.

Dental care at home and for travel

Specimens of dissected human heads, which were used in past for teaching purpose and students to practice their manual dexterity, are on display. Since prior to the discovery and use of X-Rays in 1895, the only practical method of demonstration was through observing surgical operation or a dissection. However, cultural, religious, and climatic limitations led to the development of anatomical models made of varying materials, for demonstration to the budding dentists. 

The knowledge and understanding that we have today regarding oral hygiene, was not there in past. Toothbrushes were introduced just a little over 200 years ago and because of its exorbitant cost it could only be afforded by the rich people. Apart from these expensive items, at the Dental museum one can also witness the progress and development of different dental equipments; from simple scalers to complex computer operated machines. How ultra-sophisticated machines have taken over, with the passage of time, is worth looking at, in the museum.

Varying tooth related aspects are also depicted through a number of cartoons, artworks and the likes. The most fascinating thing that captivates one’s attention is the tooth-modeled stool to sit up on in the cozy ambience of the museum. 

French Cartoon Art

 

English Engravings

Paintings

How is it possible that in Dental Museum we do not see teeth or denture? Well, the museum has a wide range of collection of natural to fabricated dentition; perfectly fitting both the aesthetic quality and the functionality.

The British Dental Museum is located at 64, Wimpole Street, London, W1G 8YS, and is open for visitors only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 13.00 and 16.00 hours.