Museums of materials used in dentistry: Our experience and literature review

• Published in: Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 267 - 270
• Main Authors: Rao, B. Sripathi, Bhat, V, Nandish, B, Jayaprakash, K, Rao, Sowmya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.07.2016; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Arts; Dental health awareness; dentistry; museums; resource for research; Teaching models; Technology; veterinary dentistry
• ISSN: 2321-4848
• DOI: 10.4103/2321-4848.196185

There are museums in every branches of science and technologies as well as in many other fields of fine arts, sculpture, etc., serving the societies in acquisition of deeper knowledge. However, no serious attempts have been made to establish such museums in dental sciences. The aim of this article is to create awareness of the importance of the museums in the dental institutions and to provide resource for research in different specialties. The objective is to expose our unique experiences in this area which helped the students to improve their knowledge of the dental sciences and the public dental health awareness. The methods adopted were collection of large numbers of samples, fabrications of models, charts, etc., for teaching curriculum and public education and presenting them with suitable classifications. Results of this vast effort and pains taken are very much appreciated and encouraged by the visiting dentists, dignitaries, school children, and the public. Museums of dental materials should be inseparable parts of the dental teaching institutions and are very essential for the dental students and educating the societies on dental health awareness.