Brigit Donohue
Faculty Sponsor: Naila Mammon & Shaw Smith
Historically, the portrayal of dental care in art primarily focused on patient’s agony and anxiety, the strained patient-clinician relationship, and the shockingly unsanitary clinic environment, all of which intensified the widespread animosity towards dental care providers. Nevertheless, with modern improvements in anesthetics and technology, the dental profession has collectively increased efforts to reverse these public fears. Reflecting the trajectory of dental medicine, modern works of dental art promote comfort of care, restorative practices, and the value of cosmetic aesthetics, thereby radically changing the dialogue around oral healthcare and complementing the profession’s current goals.