Bill Harrison – Open Wide! Dentistry in the Arizona Territory

Menu – Turkey Ala King over Biscuit, Salad, Dessert & Beverage by Jeff & Vicky.

Program – Open Wide! The Excruciating History of Dentistry in the Arizona Territory –

Men and women in the Arizona Territory were notoriously bad about oral hygiene. Poor eating habits, chewing tobacco, excessive liquor, and sugary sweets caused painful tooth decay and periodontal disease. Unfortunately, trained dentists were few and far between. When the agony of a toothache became unbearable, generally the only option was to have the bad tooth extracted by a local blacksmith or “barber surgeon.” In most cases, the only anesthetic was a healthy slug of whiskey or a dangerous swallow of laudanum, made from opium and wine. With the opening of three dental schools in the late 1800s, a slow trickle of qualified dentists made their way out west. Eventually, patients suffering from dental problems were treated more humanely by qualified professionals using modern equipment, nitrous oxide, Novocain and trendle drills. Purchase dinner & program tickets by Dec 5. Program tickets by Dec 10 at 5PM.