British Dental Association Museum

Where would we be without our teeth? The BDA Dental Museum tells the fascinating story of how people have looked after their teeth - or not! - in the past. The Museum has the largest collection of dental heritage in the UK. It houses over 20,000 objects and images telling the story of how dentistry has developed from a martketplace spectacle to the complex procedures and treatment of today. From 19th century dental floss to toothache cures, clockwork drills to toothpaste adverts there is more to discover than you might imagine. Visit www.bda.org/museum for more information.

The BDA Dental Museum also features in our Learning section.

Contact Us

British Dental Association
64 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8YS
Tel. 020 7935 0875

Visitor Information

Opening Hours
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 13:00-16:00
Other times by appointment

Free admission

Disabled access
Education and outreach service
Enquiry service
Group tours by appointment

Marylebone Station
Oxford Circus
Baker Street/Bond Street

Tell Us About Your Visit

Informative 18 July 2009

I'll definitely be re-visiting this museum

Latest News from the BDA Dental Museum

Current temporary exhibition
The John McLean Archive: a living history of dentistry
Until 16th February
Free admission

Our current temporary exhibition is about the life of John McLean. Dr McLean was a leading dental practitioner and internationally renowned dental materials scientist, author and lecturer. The exhibition ties in with the oral history project being funded by a bequest from Dr McLean's estate.

Forthcoming exhibition
Ceramic Impressions: Works in porcelain inspired by the collections of the BDA Dental Museum and its visitors
23rd February - 24th May
Free admission

The museum's next exhibition showcases the work of ceramics artist Judy DiBiase. Judy is the course leader for the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Kingston College. She has been inspired by the museum's collections and by visitors' reactions to the museum. Some of their comments are included in Judy's pieces. She also worked with a school group helping the children to make their own recordings in porcelain of the museum which Judy brings together in one large scale piece. Look out for events associated with the exhibition.

Oral history project
The museum is half way through a major oral history project. The John McLean Archive: A Living History of Dentistry will be formed as a the result of the project which will include individual oral history interviews and group witness seminars. The project, which the museum is undertaking in conjunction with the Unit for the History of Dentistry of King's College London Dental Institute, aims to document the history of dentistry since the start of the National Health Service. The project has been funded by a bequest from the estate of the late John McLean.

Oral history recording equipment The museum is looking for volunteer interviewers to carry out the oral history interviews - you don't have to have a background in dentistry! The oral history interviews will represent what was happening in dentistry all over the country so are looking for interviewers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are other volunteer opportunities too, for example listening to interviews, cataloguing the archive and carrying out research prior to interviews. If you are interested in the project and would like to be involved in any of these roles or would just like to find out more information, please contact Sophie Riches project co-ordinator.

'The Dentist' fundraising campaign
The museum's fund raising campaign to purchase a unique painting, 'The Dentist' (1929) by Sir John Lavery has been successful. The painting features Conrad Ackner, a well known high society dentist who made advances in radiography. Lavery was a member of the Glasgow Boys school of painters and a highly respected portrait painter. This painting is unique for its depiction of a dental surgery in the 1920s and its accuracy - no comparable work exists. Find out more about the painting and its significance on-line or visit the museum to see the painting itself.