Let’s follow the history of dentistry around the world from the Middle Ages to the modern day with this rare historical picture. Tooth extraction in the Middle Ages: A dentist extracting a tooth, his silver pliers and a huge string of teeth on a chain. Image from the OmneBonum, a London encyclopedia published in the 14th century. The Dentist, painted by Dutch artist Gerard van Honthorst: a scene reflecting the practice of dentistry in the 17th century. A humorous Victorian commercial card (not used to advertise a dental practice, but a fertilizer spreader). Another Victorian commercial card advertising some early form of toothpaste product. 19th century Italian dentists traveled around in a chest of drawers called a “tooth drawer”. Persian dentist: image from the Koran, circa 1900. Removing pain: In 1846, William Moulton made the first public presentation of a dental drawer in Boston. Ether anesthesia was first demonstrated to the public in Boston in 1846 by William Moulton. A foot dentist in Japan during the Meiji era, carrying his instruments of healing. The image dates from about 1897. The booming toothbrush trade, photo from Hungary, circa 1900. Dentist and nurse examining the teeth of a school-age boy. The photo was taken around 1910. Handsome German dentist, photo taken around 1930. Forever fodder for comedy: Pictured is a still from the 1930s movie The Three Stooges, featuring protagonists Larry, Moe, and Curly working as dentists. Mobile Dentist: Pictured here is a dentist giving oral treatment to a little girl in a view of a removable surgical suite, a mobile clinic for the convenience of students in Cambridgeshire, Massachusetts, USA. The picture was taken in 1931. A Chinese dentist practicing in a street stall displays his tools and extracted teeth. Image taken in the 1850s. A train of Messerschmitt cars advertises Gleem toothpaste.X-rays were first used in dentistry in 1896. In the mid-1920s, X-rays were widely accepted and utilized by dentists. A street dentist reads a newspaper in Karachi, Pakistan. New technology: Lasers began to be used in the treatment of periodontal disease. Laser teeth whitening is now widespread. Dental hygienists teach children about dental care in a mobile dental clinic in Colorado, USA.