If you fear going to the dentist The Excrutiating History of Dentistry: Toothsome Tales & Oral Oddities from Babylon to Braces by James Wynbrandt will have you feeling grateful to be alive in an era of modern dentistry. Mr. Wynbrandt's book tells in frightening detail the evolution of toothcare throughout the ages, the numerous charlatans and quacks (the term quack originated to describe unskilled, unlicensed dentists) often causing more harm through death, chronic illness, or permanent disfigurement than good.
Dentistry was performed for centuries by barber-surgeons, then by anyone who would advertise themselves as qualified before becoming a certified branch of medicine. The chemicals, potions, and curatives used to help ease pain or salvage teeth were more often then not poisonous or dangerously addictive including urine, mercury, cocaine and morphine. The history of dentistry is told in a humorous light with an incredulous tone.
The review of this Book prepared by David Fletcher