This typical example of a vulcanite denture with porcelain teeth and clasps has recently been donated to the BDA museum by Mrs Eileen Mayor and dentist Jonathan Thorpe of St Helens (Fig. 1).

Figure 1
figure 1

A typical example of a vulcanite denture with porcelain teeth and clasps

The denture was made for Private James Kay (Fig. 2) on his recruitment to the South Lancashire Regiment 11th battalion. Prior to this he worked as a drawer in a bottle factory in St Helens and was unable to afford dental treatment. It is clear that at a young age the majority of his upper teeth required extraction and a partial denture fitted. The darker coloured vulcanite provided additional strength and the shield shape was added for suction. He was killed in action and died of his wounds on 11 April 1918 aged 23 and this denture was returned with his personal effects.

Figure 2
figure 2

Private James Kay, the owner of the denture

This denture and photo are part of the dentistry during the First World War Exhibition which is currently on display outside the lecture theatre at 64 Wimpole Street and continues throughout 2015.

https://www.bda.org/museum