Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry

Located on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore—the birthplace of professional dental education—the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry is a surprisingly fascinating tribute to the history of oral hygiene. Designated by Congress as the nation's official dental museum, it houses an extensive collection of over 40,000 artifacts that trace how humans have struggled with, cared for, and occasionally feared their teeth throughout history.

The museum opened in 1996, largely thanks to a significant donation from Dr. Samuel D. Harris, a pediatric dentist who envisioned a space that would both educate the public and preserve the heritage of his profession. It sits on the historic grounds of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, founded in 1840 as the world's first dental school. This historical anchor lends the museum an undeniable authority, grounding its sometimes whimsical and bizarre exhibits in serious scientific history.

Inside, visitors encounter a mix of the educational, the historical, and the downright unsettling. Among the most famous items on display are George Washington’s dentures. Contrary to the popular myth that they were made of wood, the museum reveals they were actually carved from hippopotamus ivory, gold, and human teeth. Nearby, Queen Victoria’s personal horn-handled toothbrush sits as a testament to 19th-century royal dental care, while a collection of vintage dental chairs resembles instruments of medieval interrogation rather than medical progress.

The exhibits also explore the evolution of dental advertising, featuring vintage toothpaste commercials, historical toothbrushes made of animal bone and boar bristle, and retro hygiene posters. Interactive displays allow visitors to learn about the mechanics of chewing, the chemistry of cavities, and the development of modern anesthesia, which mercifully revolutionized dental procedures from terrifying ordeals into routine maintenance.