Collection

The Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum collection established in 1884 has over 4,000 items including documents, photographs, artworks, catalogues, dental and scientific instruments, and associated research material relating to the history of dentistry and dental education in Victoria, Australia and internationally. Items in the collection range from early examples of dental instruments to teaching models and student photographs.

Southern Novelty Company (Demorest, Georgia, USA, est. 1899), McConnell portable dental chair, c. 1900, wood, leather, metal, fabric; 75.0 × 140.0 × 47.0 cm. Acquired by Professor Henry Forman Atkinson, gift of David Atkinson and Mary White 2017, Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum, HFA3651

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Browse and search our online database to find out about the Medical History Museum, Henry Forman Atkinson Museum and Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology collections.

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Research the collection

The Henry Forman Atkinson Museum offers opportunities for students, staff and researchers to gain access to and learn more about the collection.

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Arthur F Russell (1864–1915), Dental bridge work to-day, Melbourne: Renwick, Pride & Nuttall (printer), c. 1910s, paper, ink, 17.4 × 12.0 cm. Gift of Mrs Newton, Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum, HFA2781
Alex Bauer, Mr McIntosh’s surgery, Colac, Victoria, c. 1900, photograph, 14.2 × 18.8 cm. Gift of Ms Helena Stone 2013, Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum, HFA3145

Discover the Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum

The Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum is the oldest and most significant dental collection in Australia. Tracing its origins back to 1884 with the formation of the Odontological Society of Victoria, the organization responsible for establishing the first dental school in Victoria

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Support the collection

We are always interested in new items and information to enhance the collection, and welcome all kinds of support to continue collection development

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Charles Harold Down (1890–1965), Teaching models: Tasmanian Wolf (Thylacinus cynocephalus) / Left upper third molar / X5 and Tasmanian Wolf (Thylacinus cynocephalus) / Left lower third molar / X5, c. 1920–40, gypsum, enamel paint, wood; each model 15.0 × 12.5 × 12.5 cm. Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum, HFA2879 and HFA2880
Ambulance drivers posed in front of ambulance, Ballarat Influenza epidemic, c.1919, 8.5 x 14.0 cm. Medical History Museum, MHMA2025.4

Covid-19 Collecting

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences museum want to collect material that will record the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in our community of students, staff, researcher, and colleagues in the health sector, to tell the stories of this moment in the time for future generations. How has this pandemic transformed our lives?

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Banner Image : Charles Harold Down (1890–1965), Teaching aids: drawings, 1920–38, ink and pastel on paper, each sheet 117.0 × 90.0 cm, Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum, HFA1997