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The summer months are often a time when families hop
in the car for a cross-country trip of sightseeing, or board a plane
to a particular destination.
If your plans are flexible, the Samuel D. Harris
National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore is a must-see attraction for
the whole family. Much of the following information can be found in
the museum's publication 32 Terrific Teeth or by checking out the
website at www.dentalmuseum.umaryland.edu.
From the moment you enter the door, you'll begin to
explore and discover the fascinating roots and history of dentistry in
a most unusual and imaginative environment.
Your first contact will be with a life-size model of a
female circus trapeze artist lifting a huge weight with her teeth! If
that isn't enough to take your breath away, there is the world's first
and only Tooth Jukebox playing vintage commercials for oral hygiene
products, an amazing tower of chairs -- a literal history of the
dental chair -- reaching from floor to ceiling and an incredible
display of toothbrushes with ingenious designs.
This is all to say that the National Museum of
Dentistry isn't musty, dusty, obsolete, or painful. It is an inviting
and fanciful place, offering captivating exhibits, artifacts and
curiosities relating to dentistry and teeth.
The museum is located in the heart of downtown
Baltimore on the professional school campus of the University of
Maryland. The museum's neighbors include the celebrated Oriole Park at
Camden Yards, the Baltimore Ravens' football stadium, the B & 0
Railroad Museum, the Babe Ruth Baseball Museum and the grave of
writer-poet Edgar Allan Poe.
The surrounding neighborhood is colorful, diverse and
historically significant. As an added bonus, it's just a short walk to
the Baltimore waterfront with its complex of shops, eateries, old
sailing ships and an astounding marine aquarium.
The museum contains two floors of innovatively
designed exhibitions, including George Washington's lower dentures.
Contrary to popular belief, those teeth were made of ivory, not wood.
There are lots of interactive exhibits for children and parents to
share in numerous multi-sensory experiences.
Currently, there is a new two-year exhibition entitled
Terrific Tooth Tales. The exhibition's programs are designed to raise
awareness of dental history and oral health, as well as to encourage
reading. The second floor contains a child-scaled dental office,
interactive computer stations and a reading area. There are displays
about tooth traditions around the world, a 1930's pediatric dental
chair, a dollhouse dental cabinet, and rare toys, too.
The Museum is named for Dr. Samuel D. Harris, a
pioneer in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Harris dedicated his professional
life to the improvement of children's dental health care. He also was
a collector of historical dental artifacts and his gifts were
instrumental in the establishment of this fascinating museum.
A visit to the Samuel D. Harris National Museum of
Dentistry offers an exciting, unique and valuable experience. The
Museum Shop is not to be missed for extensive offerings, distinctive
souvenirs and gifts. It's an extremely worthwhile summer vacation
destination and is just a short ride to our nation's capital.
Have fun and don't forget to pack your toothbrush,
paste, and floss!
Dr. Eric Lebowitz is a pediatric dentist specializing
in dental and orthodontic care for infants, children, and teens. He is
in private practice at Tooth Fairy-Land, located near Baptist
Hospital. Questions about this topic can be directed to Dr. Lebowitz
at (305) 279-4313.
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