ADAQ Museum of Dentistry

A dental 'cabinet of curiosities' offering a glimpse of what it was like to practice, and receive, 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, an 1870s Swan-armed recliner chair, a 1920s Ritter A x-ray machine, travelling cabinets packed with various equipment and preparations for dental treatment, and much more.

Our archives tell the history of dental practice, policy and education across Queensland through council minutes, publications, lecture notes and textbooks, oral health leaflets and information kits 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

Articulated teaching model, showing dental disease

Object number: D20

Featured Articles

/images/ADAQ%20Museum/Dentiste%20pour%20dames.jpg

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