TOM Kolb, a retired dentist and member of Cirencester Probus, was the speaker at our second April meeting where he gave an illustrated talk on 'The History of Dentistry'.

He said evidence of rudimentary dentistry had been discovered at the Pyramids form 3,000 years BC and extractions forceps had been found in Greece which was thought to be from 500 years BC.

Evidence of dentures came to light in Rome which had been dated as coming from some 100 years BC.

Over the years progress was being made in the field of dentistry and in the Middle Ages teeth were being extracted by barbers and itinerant tooth pullers.

As time went by more attention was given to providing dentures and early examples were made from carved ivory but these were out of reach for the majority of the population.

Some unscrupulous individuals resorted to grave robbing to obtain teeth from which they could fashion dentures.

With early dentistry there was the accompanying pain and several concoctions were used to minimise the effects which included opium, laughing gas and gin.

However the advances are such that pain has been virtually eliminated.

Tom said nowadays peoples' dental health had improved immeasurably and this was due to regular cleaning and diet.

On this subject he said sugar was the cause of some tooth decay, especially toffees and the like, however chocolate did not have a detrimental effect, he went on to say that vegetables were good for the teeth as were cheese and tea, minus any sugar.

This was a most interesting talk by someone who had spent a lifetime in dentistry and he was thanked by the president Peter Nairn.

Probus meet at 10.15am on the second and fourth Wednesday each month at The Cotswold Indoor Bowling Centre, Dudbridge, Stroud.

It is open to all retired men and ample free parking is available on site.