Eoin Kinsella and Frances Nolan 2023; Eastwood Books; £20.00 (hardback); pp. 194; ISBN: 978-1-913934-52-1

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A commemoration for the Irish Dental Association's centennial, the authors describe in detail its history, adversities, achievements and impact on dentistry both in Ireland and internationally. Dr Kinsella and Dr Nolan, two notable historians, have delved into the depths of how dentistry in Ireland has come to excel today. The book traces all the way back to 1877, spanning from the unlawful use of the dentist title, to how a letter sent to dentists in 1922 led to the specialties reform.

Starting from the establishment of the Irish free state, each chapter takes the reader along a cascade of significant historical events, all influencing the formation and advancements of the Irish Dental Association. The tale begins with a lack of qualified dentists and people resisting science. In order to increase public education, they moved to a more preventative model, and established several schemes to increase access to dental care. Throughout the book, there are well-sourced quotations and images from old newspapers and journals.

Regulatory bodies promote safety and adequacy in dental professionals and education, ensuring ethical and scientific advancement. I would recommend this book to all dentists interested in regulatory processes of the profession and dental public health. It was interesting to read how the early dental public health interventions were placed in relation to the shortage of dentists and high caries incidence in children at the time; in particular, their response to The Emergency and subsequent recession, particularly in the current economic and political climate.

I also recommend this book to non-dentists; there are a depth of narratives to connect over the century, from the creation of the dental bill, NHS, dental benefits, and finally the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a greater insight into the resilience and expansion of the Association, and ultimately, how it strives to benefit the people.

Upon reading, you appreciate the captivating history of the Association and the momentous academic contributions by Irish dentists, all paving the way for a supportive governing body for dentists in Ireland.