Long before modern anesthesia, advanced dental technology, or formal dental education, tooth extractions and other dental treatments were often painful affairs that inspired both anxiety and amusement. Historical artists captured these experiences through illustrations, caricatures, and satirical prints that reveal how dentistry was viewed by the public. Drawn from the UMB’s Dental Illustrations Collection in the Digital Archive, these images offer a glimpse into the history of dental care while highlighting the humor, fears, and cultural attitudes surrounding oral health.   Continue reading →