Andrew Sadler Knihy

Ambitious hospital dental surgeons, following the establishment of the National Health Service, sought to broaden their scope beyond traditional dental procedures to include comprehensive surgery of the mouth, face, and jaws. This expansion often faced significant resistance from established surgical specialties, highlighting the evolving dynamics within the medical field and the struggle for recognition and acceptance of dental surgery as a critical component of healthcare.

Set against the backdrop of the Second World War and the following decades, the narrative explores the dire state of dental health in Britain, where poor oral hygiene and limited dental care were the norms. It highlights the transition from a culture of extractions and dentures to improved dental practices. The insights are drawn from the experiences of dental professionals, captured in the British Dental Association John McLean Archive, reflecting significant changes in public attitudes and dental care from 2008 to 2023.