ADAQ Museum of Dentistry

A dental 'cabinet of curiosities' offering a glimpse of what it was like to practice dentistry, or undergo dental treatment. This reflection brings better understanding of oral health issues today and the dynamics of this field, at both ends of the drill. 


ADAQ's Museum of Dentistry (MoD) aims to be an educational tool for dental professionals and the public on the evolution of dentistry and oral health. The need ‘to preserve the dental history of Queensland for posterity’ is also enshrined in the ADAQ’s Constitution (2.1.9) and remains a strategic objective for ADAQ.

Tracking the evolution of the art of dentistry in Queensland

Ivory dentures, terrifying extraction keys, ornate foot-powered drill engines, travelling dentist's cabinets packed with old extraction tools and preparations for dental treatment, and much more.

Meanwhile our archives tell the history of dental practice, policy and education across Queensland through council minutes, publications, lecture notes and textbooks, and oral health leaflets  for patients.

Do you have an item to donate or you'd like to help out? Or perhaps you have a dental story to tell? Get involved!

Contact details

A small exhibition is now open for viewing at the MoD display area, 24-28 Hamilton Place, Bowen Hills - by appointment only.
Interested in volunteering, donations, visits or other enquiries? Please get in touch!

24-28 Hamilton Place
07 3252 9866

ADAQ Museum of Dentistry on eHive 

Denture. Gold, vulcanite, porcelain facings. Object number: D122

Collection highlights

Dental extraction keys

Object number: D88

Claudius Ash & Co. n.2 Travelling dental engine

Object number: D33

Hydro Water Toothpick

Object number: D113

Featured Articles

And... rinse!

The awkward invitation for patients to swish and spit is a welcome sign that time in the dentist's chair is up...

https://staff.adaq.com.au/images/ADAQ%20Museum/cuspidor%20attachment.JPG

Queensland dentists' service in the army dental corps WWII

How did WW2 affect Queensland dentists?

/images/ADAQ%20Museum/D9%20-%20Military%20dental%20kit%20rollup%20leather.jpg

Who was Queensland's first female dentist?

Dentistry was in a state of flux when women were first recorded performing dental treatment...

Alessandra Boi

/images/ADAQ%20Museum/3%20Dental%20congress%201912%20-%20snippets%20portrait.jpg

Foundation of the Brisbane Dental Hospital 1917

In the early stages, the dental hospital in Elizabeth St, with its single chair, was staffed by a rotating roster of volunteer dentists

/images/ADAQ%20Museum/Commemorative%20Eden%20portrait.jpg