Until two or three decades ago, displays featuring antiquated dental equipment intermixed with local historic memorabilia could be found in almost every U.S. dental school. They often were housed in spaces far away from student, faculty or patient traffic patterns, and a visitor to these minimuseums was a rare event.

Usually it was either a dental dean emeritus or some aging faculty member who was designated curator—a title that, in most cases, came without responsibility. Eventually, as space in the dental schools became premium, a faculty vote to rid the school of this dusty and ill-used space resulted in its contents being packaged and sent to some off-campus storage space.

Few dentists mourned the exit of these vestiges of their profession’s historical past. Dentistry, it appeared, was moving up the professional ladder so rapidly that it was willing to ignore that not so long ago, its members had been barbers or blacksmiths.

This attitude was not unexpected. Millions of immigrants who came to America during the same period in which dentistry was becoming one of the health sciences’ foremost professions wanted no part of their heritage. Assimilation into the American mainstream was the desired goal.

That perspective has changed. More and more Americans are looking back to their roots, examining their heritage and building personal histories into their daily lives. Could the creation in 1996 of a national dental museum in Baltimore signal that the dental profession is following suit?

Whether the answer is yes or no, the existence of this new museum, with its outstanding professional and public programs, should be promoted.

Building on the University of Maryland’s already well-stocked collection of historic dental items and bolstered by a million-dollar grant from Dr. Samuel Harris, the Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry, or NMD, opened its doors in 1996. The museum is appropriately housed in a building that served as the University of Maryland Dental Department from 1904 to 1929. The fact that the Baltimore College of Dentistry was the site of the nation’s first dental school adds to the importance of the museum’s location.

The concept of a national museum of dentistry to showcase the profession’s historic and scientific achievements is one that has intrigued me for many years.

In fact, a number of years ago, thinking I had the ear of the ADA president at the time, I suggested starting a national museum of dentistry in Colorado Springs, Colo.

My argument—that the site where fluoride’s dental effects were first identified would be an appropriate place for such a museum—was not received with enthusiasm. There were too many more pertinent needs, I was told. So be it. But my interest remained, and I was delighted when the NMD opened its doors.

The museum’s eclectic collection includes our first president’s dentures, an Andy Warhol silkscreen of St. Apollonia (dentistry’s patron saint), Queen Victoria’s tooth-cleaning paraphernalia and examples of antiquated dental equipment—including some bone-chilling extraction instruments that explained why so many in the past saw dentists as purveyors of pain.

On the lighter side is something designed especially for children: a video jukebox. This popular attraction, shaped like a giant mouth, projects vintage toothpaste commercials on a large screen when the visitor pushes one of the teeth. The backdrop for this display includes a number of outstanding examples of classic dental poster art.

Hands-on opportunities are in abundance, especially for children. A small theater, interactive computer displays of oral anatomy and a setting in which children have the opportunity to play dentist with scaled-down dental chairs are only a few examples of adventures and activities that the museum offers throughout its two exhibit floors.

New exhibits are introduced continually; this year, the museum featured women in dentistry and a major exhibit entitled "Watch Your Mouth! Sports and Dentistry," which featured mouth and face guards used by sports celebrities.

The visitor is struck by the multiple offerings for adults and children. On my visit, I found a number of older people, like me, trying out the children’s interactive displays.

A classy newsletter and an attractive Web site round out the museum’s offerings, thus allowing the nonvisitor or the infrequent visitor the opportunity to share in dentistry’s history.

The museum has become such a popular attraction that the Sun, in an assessment of the city’s 40-plus museums, gave it four and a half stars of a possible five. "They did the impossible," observed the Sun in August 1998. "They made a dental museum bright, colorful and fun. [It] houses an entertaining mix of gear, gadgets and lore associated with dentistry and teeth."

The museum is a jewel, but it lacks national recognition and the financial resources it needs to realize its potential. I hope this editorial will alert the profession to this treasure, but more publicity is needed.

The museum is seeking federal designation as a national museum. This recognition is a political one that would increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation of dentistry. Such special recognition is warranted; in fact, the museum already is a national resource, having loaned a number of exhibits to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

To help in its quest for "national museum" designation, the NMD’s board of visitors is seeking assistance from such notables as Rep. Charles Norwood (R-Ga.), a dentist. I hope the ADA’s Government Affairs office also will lend its support.

While the ADA, as early as 1988, endorsed the concept of a national museum and reaffirmed its endorsement of the NMD as the official museum of the dental profession, it left the door open for recognition of other museums as well. No problem. Other national museums have not precluded the development of new museums.

Finally, let me make a pitch for your financial support. The NMD has a board of visitors and a national advisory committee whose members make up a who’s who of dentistry. With the support of these people, plus the contributions from the University of Maryland, national fund-raising activities have been able to support the basic operations of the museum. Elevating the museum to the next level, however, will require additional funding. Procuring an official "national" designation will help, but the museum still needs many more friends.

The NMD is offering contributors the right to have their names engraved on a brick to be permanently displayed in the courtyard at the museum’s entrance. For a $100 contribution, you can help pave the way to dental history. Greater or lesser dollar amounts would be welcome. Take pride in your profession—become a partner in this exciting endeavor. My check is on its way.