The cover of this issue is an illustration of a mobile dental ambulance from the First World War. Rachel Bairsto from the BDA Museum provides some background on this cover.

In the autumn of 1915, Mr A. Parker-Cater, a dentist, offered a fully equipped, mobile dental van to the War Office for the treatment of soldiers at the front. This was rejected as the authorities were ignorant of its necessity. However, the French Red Cross in London requested two such vans designed by Mr Parker and funded by English subscribers.

In September 1916, the Civil Service Federation presented a mobile dental ambulance to the British Red Cross, the first for use with the British troops in France. It cost £950. The body was designed by Mr Felix Hudlass, the engineer of the Royal Automobile Club and the Selden chassis and engine was of 32h.p. The layout of this van was similar to that of Mr Parker-Cater's design. The interior contained a workshop in the forward part of the car, providing equipment and materials for the making and repair of dentures and the making of splints. This included a 12v lathe and a paraffin vulcaniser. The rear of the vehicle operated as a surgery with an ordinary hospital pattern pump chair, a portable, folding chair, a foot dental engine, dental cabinet, swing bracket and light, gas apparatus and materials and instruments for the extraction and filling of teeth. Electricity was generated by a dynamo and stored in accumulators. Primus stoves were used for sterilisation. Water was stored in a tank on the front of the roof. The personnel consisted of a dental surgeon, Earnest H. Tice, a dental mechanic and a driver.

Eventually all five British armies in France had mobile dental ambulances. This enabled soldiers to be treated quickly and reduced their absence from combat.