The Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry, housed within the School of Dentistry, is one of a handful of museums throughout the world devoted to preserving and exhibiting the history of dentistry.
The Museum exhibits and preserves a historical museum collection containing over 25,000 objects focused on the history of dentistry with particular interest on dental practice and technology in the United States and Michigan dating from the 18th century to today. We are dedicated to educating our audiences about the history of dentistry through museum exhibition, related programs, research, and preservation of the collections.
HISTORY
The Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry’s benefactor, Gordon Sindecuse, as shown with his wife, Elizabeth
The Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry was created in 1991 with a gift from Gordon H. Sindecuse, DDS, a 1921 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Initially, the Sindecuse Museum was housed within the first and ground floor lobby areas of the Kellogg Institute Building.
In 2000, the internal courtyard connecting the Kellogg and Dental Buildings was converted into an atrium to house the Museum’s expanded exhibit space.
Read the Gordon H. Sindecuse memoir.
MISSION
The mission of the Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry is to educate its visitors about the history of dentistry through museum exhibition, related programs, research and preservation of its collections. To achieve its mission, the Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry will:
Develop and preserve historical museum collections focused on the history of dentistry with particular interest on dental practice and technology in the United States and Michigan dating from the 18th century to today.
Create and maintain exhibitions reflecting the history of the dental profession, technology and related topics of historical significance in dentistry.
Serve the University, the dental community, and the public through the sharing of knowledge of the Museum's collection and history of dentistry via public exhibits, programs, research services, and other outreach activities.
STAFF
Tamara Barnes, MA
Director/Curator
dentalmuseum@umich.edu
734-763-0767
Tamara Barnes is interested in crossovers within the spheres of academia and community, practitioner and patient. She has specialized in making museum and historical collections more accessible through programs, exhibits, and online technologies. She holds a Master’s Degree from the Cooperstown Graduate Program in History Museum Studies.
Adam Johnson, MA
Collections Coordinator
dentalmuseum@umich.edu
734-764-2293
Adam Johnson is the lead technical collections staff member and is responsible for day to day management of the collections including registration, environmental monitoring as well as managing the museum database and digital assets as well as training and working alongside the Museum Assistants.