New exhibition explores early dentistry in Victoria

To create the exhibition, Professor Emeritus Henry Atkinson and Louise Murray, the curators of Cavities, keys and camels: Early dentistry in Victoria, drew on the extensive collection of the Melbourne Dental School’s Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum and other cultural collections including the Ian Potter Museum of Art, Special Collections in the Baillieu Library, the Medical History Museum, the University of Melbourne Herbarium and the University of Melbourne Archives.

Ms Murray said the exhibition explored the social history, technical developments and establishment of the dental profession in Victoria.

"A wider audience will be introduced to the dental museum collection, the history of dentistry in Victoria and the history of dental education at the University," she said.

"It highlights the Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum’s rich collection of  artifacts, including dental instruments, dental cabinets, photographs, documents, dentures made from bone, ivory, porcelain, human teeth and gold, catalogues and teaching aids."

Ms Murray explained that in the early days of Victoria, dentists operated in a very different environment. Before registration and the existence of a dental or medical board, there was no restriction on advertising or treatment. Anyone could call themselves a dentist and dispense a wide range of dental treatments.

However, some early dentists wanted improvements in treatment, especially for the poor, and in dental education. These dentists helped eradicate unscrupulous practices and laid the foundations for academic and professional excellence which continues today.

Ms Murray said she had several favourite exhibits.  "The photographs are fascinating because they reveal so much about how things were done in the early days, more than 100 years ago," she said.

"There is also a very early leather roll up case with dental instruments, circa 1800, which would have been used by itinerate dentists, some who travelled by horseback." 

Cavities, keys and camels: Early dentistry in Victoria runs until 28 November in the Leigh Scott Gallery, first floor, Baillieu Library.