Teeth. Wellcome Collection, London, 17 May - 16 September 2018

摘要

When I was first approached to review the Wellcome Collection's exhibition Teeth' exploring the origins of dentistry, I nearly declined due to the topic; my initial gut reaction was one of revulsion tinged with anxiety. I made associations with the high-pitched whine of the dentist's drill and unpleasant childhood memories of visiting the orthodontist to have braces fitted. Yet, I also recalled the important role that I had recently performed as a parent; I had managed to contact the tooth fairy to ensure that my son was rewarded for bravely giving up his first tooth. The momentous nature of this milestone event in a child's life made me reflect on the personal importance of teeth; the topic is one that everyone can relate to. So, as a design historian with an interest in medical items, I was curious to discover how curators, Emily Scott-Dearing and James Peto would present objects in this exhibition exploring the history of dentistry and relate this to the social and cultural significance of teeth. The exhibition claims to be the first major show to chart the history of the dentistry profession and displays items from the collection assembled by Henry Wellcome alongside loans from the British Dental Association and key European collections. The target audience is those with a connection to the profession and also the wider public. Objects representing the origins of the profession and technological developments in dental tools are supplemented by consumer items relating to toothcare along with poster campaigns, films, and animations to encourage oral health. Before visitors enter the main gallery, the design of the lobby suggests a dental waiting room and guests are invited to take a sticker, which references another important feature of a child's trip to the dentist. The exhibition is organized in five sections: an introduction followed by themes entitled 'pulling teeth', 'drugs and drills', 'our friend the Dentist', and 'a sense of self. The initial section introduces the important relationship that humans have with teeth and argues that they are central to our identity. As the only exposed part of the human skeleton during life, teeth are one of the most prominent features of our appearance and the exhibition aims to trace 300 years of Western society's pursuit of the healthy mouth and the perfect smile. This significance is reinforced by the toothy language we use; we grit them, cut them, gnash them, lie through them, hope to avoid them being set on edge and we all might potentially become a bit 'long in the tooth'.