Professor Jan Clarkson, speaker on the 5th February, reminded those of us with substantial experience of dentists of happy hours spent in the chair!

Prof Clarkson is Director of Effective Dental Practice Programme at Dundee University and is a founding member of the Cochrane Oral Health Group. 

Her appearance at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe ‘Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas’ gave fair warning of the serious, entertaining, humorous and simply fascinating talk that followed on the ‘Politics of the tooth Fairy’.

We were transported from ancient dentistry via the Greek and Roman world, Elizabeth I and the Armada, Napoleon, Victorian fans and Churchill’s dentures. Sugar emerged as the devil incarnate with blame laid at the door of Sir Walter Raleigh.

Tools of the trade were passed around gingerly, as were some of Jan’s own teeth - and her granny’s dentures!

Early dentistry was generally gruesome - and yet pictures of very early fillings using gold wire and lapidary drills, demonstrated a high level of skill and craftsmanship.

The effects of scurvy on sailors was sobering, WW1 trench mouth hardly less depressing and as for  surgeon-barbers attending fairs, with loud music to cover the screams… !!

James Lind (1716 – 1794) was a Scottish physician and a pioneer of naval hygiene in the Royal Navy. By conducting one of the first ever clinical trials, he developed the theory that citrus fruits cured scurvy. The proof was presented to the Admirals of the day - nothing happened for fifty years.

But there was a very serious side to Jan’s talk, as she said that dental decay and poor oral health is the cause of today’s biggest world-wide health cost. We heard too of the role that poor oral health plays in the incidence of serious illnesses. It was interesting to learn of the role of the Cochrane Group and of its research to establish, factually, what treatments can be proven to be effective.

A novel theory emerged that it was toothache that led to the defeat of the Armada; that caused Napoleon to invade - and generally that the world would be a peaceful place without it!

Following questions, a warm vote of thanks was proposed by Andy Matthew.