By Sandy Vasko

I doubt that going to the dentist is on the top of anyone’s favorite things to do list. I view it as a necessary evil, not that the dentists themselves are evil.

In fact, dentists have been the butt of jokes for many years. An example is the 1932 W.C. Fields movie short, “The Dentist.” I am sure that you can find it on YouTube.

We will be looking at some Will County dentists and their technology improvements.

Our first description comes from the Joliet Republican in April of 1868. It reveals to us the fact that dentists’ offices were not the cold, sterile things they are today.

“Dr. Salter, one of the oldest dentists in the city whose office is at 33 Jefferson Street, is always bound to be ahead. One of his latest novelties is the smallest steam engine we have seen, which is run by one of Danforth’s Super heat and Steam Generators, and used to propel lathes in the mechanical department of his office. He can now finish up work in much shorter time, and make a more beautiful finish than by the old foot lathe.

“The Doctor’s high reputation as a skillful dentist has been earned by many years’ practice. His rooms are conveniently located and fitted up with rare taste, and will compare favorably with any dental rooms in the State. – Some of the finest work in art can be seen by calling at his rooms.”

In 1883, we have the description of the décor of another Wilmington dentist: “Probably no finer suite of rooms for the practice of dentistry can be found in Illinois than those of Dr. Duncan, located over the First National Bank in this city. The parlor and laboratory front on Water Street, while the operating room commands a fine northern light. The latter room contains magnificent dental chair, of Wilkerson’s patent, costing $150 ($5,270). It can be adjusted to a dozen positions, either for adults or children, and is without doubt the finest style of chair made.

“The toilet room, immediately adjoining, is fitted up with every convenience, including a large and neat reservoir of rain-water. The reception room, like the parlor, is luxuriantly furnished in tapestry and upholstery, with elegant paper hangings and decorations, the latter being the handiwork of John Flanders.

“Among the appurtenances of the operating room is a gas apparatus, the only one in the city, and a beautiful piece of mechanism in the shape of a foot-power drill, that may be operated in any conceivable direction.

“The doctor appears to be doing a good business, though he does look down in the mouth occasionally.”

Who said that dental implants are a new thing? From September 20, 1879, Joliet Republican: “Dr. Cole, our popular dentist, whose enterprise is continually branching out before the public, has accomplished something in his line, that has long been talked of by the profession, but never went into effect, which is transplanting teeth, or in other words, extracting teeth, filling, and then replacing them.

“The doctor operated upon the teeth of Mrs. Harvey, of Minooka, and Miss Townsend of Lockport, recently and the teeth are as solid today as they ever were. In this way, the teeth can be filled much quicker, and better. About one hour constitutes the entire time in filling and replacing.”

It seems that dentistry can be hazardous, but one Wilmington dentist didn’t let an explosion stop him. From January 1918: “By the explosion of a gasoline torch Drs. R. Green and B. R. Jones, dentists, were severely burned last Wednesday afternoon in the office of the former over Gadberry’s restaurant. Dr. Green was getting the torch ready to remelt some old gold when the tank exploded burning both doctors severely about the hands and faces. Jones, whose clothing was on fire, ran down stairs and put the fire out by rolling in the snow, and then was taken to Phiefer’s drug store where first aid was given.

“A few minutes later Dr. Green was taken through a window to the roof of the Matone building by J. O’Donnell employed by Donahoe & Co. assisted by others. Mr. Green nearly smothered with smoke and badly burned was taken to his room at the Stewart House given medical attention, and is now under the care of a nurse and is recovering from his injuries.”

Four months later, “Dr. B. R. Jones has returned from Chicago where he purchased his fixtures and supplies for his new dental parlors which he will shortly open over George Allott’s Variety store.”

As for Dr. Greene, his offices were promptly rented, after remodeling by a Joliet dentist named Dr. W. H. Lee from Joliet, who advertised that he would charge Wilmington patients the cheaper Joliet rates.

Sandy Vasko serves on the Board of Directors of the Will County Histori­cal Museum & Research Center as Collections & Research Chair.