There are certain things I really love: A walk on the beach, laughter with friends, holding hands with my husband. But, there are things I really dislike, too. In this episode of Stories, Secrets and Sagas, you’ll learn about a dislike that I have and a museum to go with it!
All kidding aside, going to the dentist has to be one of my least favorite things to do. It can be frightening and unpleasant even if most dentists do their best to help us through the trauma. And here, in Charleston SC is a museum dedicated to dental history.
The Macaulay Museum of Dental History was founded in 1975 to serve as a repository for information and resources about the history of dentistry and dental practitioners. This is all on the campus of the Medical University of South Carolina.
Let's face it, even though I hate going to the dentist, things have come a long way -- a very long way!
We’ve all heard of George Washington’s wooden teeth, and did you know that in the 1800s people used rags and water to clean their teeth? Some even used salt and chalk as ways to clean the cavity-inducing plaque off their teeth.
I have heard that sometimes a powder was made from the ashes of ox hooves and burnt eggshells, kind of an early toothpaste. Bet they didn’t advertise it for its whitening effects!
So when you look at things today, you realize just how far we have come. This museum exhibits many of the changes that occurred throughout dental history and all in honor of Dr. Neill Webster Macaulay. Dr. Macaulay was an advocate for the profession of dentistry in South Carolina. He knew the importance of good dental training and had the vision to get things done. In fact, he helped establish the state of South Carolina’s only dental school – The Medical University of South Carolina. But, he also helped mentor and guide hundreds of students - known as “The Macaulay Boys” into dental school.
Susan Hoffius, M.S. – Past Curator, Waring Historical Library: So, Dr. Neill Macaulay was born in South Carolina. He went to the Atlanta Southern Dental School – Dental College – and then came back to practice dentistry in South Carolina, in Columbia, South Carolina. He ran a general practice, but he was also very interested in both the history of dentistry in South Carolina and dental education and advancement of the profession of dentistry in South Carolina. So, when we redesigned the Macaulay Museum of Dental History, we did that with those three, sort of, pillars in mind – practice, education and professionalism that were so much a part of what he brought to dentistry in South Carolina.
Dr. Macaulay made an impact. The museum named in his honor helps tell the story of how things have advanced in dental history. We’ll see you next week on Stories, Secrets and Sagas.
