Dental Sciences Seminar Series: The Smile Gap

January 2023

portrait of Dr. Catherine CarstairsSchulich Dentistry is pleased to welcome Dr. Catherine Carstairs on Wednesday, February 1st as part of the Dental Sciences Seminar Series.

Dr. Noha Gomaa, Associate Director for Research and Seminar Series host, is excited about the presentation. "Dr. Carstairs is a renowned historian and a sought-after international speaker," she said. "We are lucky to hear her speak about the history of oral health inequalities and the contribution of the societal and political changes over the past decades to the oral health of Canadians as we see it today. It’s going to be a very engaging and thought-provoking seminar!"

About the Talk:

As recently as fifty years ago most people expected to lose their teeth as they aged. Today, many Canadians enjoy straight, white teeth and far more of them are keeping their teeth for the entirety of their lives. Yet these advances have not reached everyone. The Smile Gap examines the enormous improvements that have taken place over the past century. The use of fluorides, emphasis on tooth brushing, the rise of cosmetic dentistry, and better access to dental care have had a profound effect on the oral health and beauty of Canadians. Yet while the introduction of employer-provided dental insurance in the 1970s has allowed for regular visits to the dentist for many people, a significant number of Canadians still lack access to good oral health care. 

poster for "The Smile Gap" presentation - mid-century style drawn image of boy and girl

Dr. Catherine Carstairs, B.A., Dip. Ed., M.A., PhD is a Professor of History at the University of Guelph. She is the author of Jailed for Possession: Illegal Drug Use, Regulation and Power in Canada, 1920-1961 and the co-author of Be Wise! Be Healthy!: Morality and Citizenship in Canadian Public Health Campaigns.

Coffee/light refreshments will be served.

This is an in-person event. Please register on Eventbrite while spots last.

Virtual option: For off-campus participants wishing to attend virtually, please register here and a Zoom invitation will be sent to you via e-mail closer to the event.

Please email dentistry.research@schulich.uwo.ca if you require information in a different format or if other arrangements can make this event accessible to you.