He took the foot-powered drill and collapsible chair and kerosene heater with kettle to boil water for sterilising to Deepwater and Emmaville.
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"Cruel only to be kind" could well describe a not so very long ago common practice.
It is very unlikely that anyone received the gift of a full mouth tooth extraction and new dentures this Christmas, or, perhaps as part of their dowry prior to getting married?
Dental upkeep was very expensive, especially when there were no bi-yearly trips to the dentist for general upkeep, no dental floss, no mouthwash, no fluoride, and no toothpaste (if you could afford to clean your teeth with anything but water, it was probably a new "tooth-powder" which, depending on what was in it, sometimes did more harm than good).
On top of that, sweeteners and sugar were being used more frequently and becoming more widely available for people.
Therefore, when a woman was getting married, often her father's wedding present was to pay to have all her teeth pulled and a set of dentures made up to help her and her husband save on the eventual cost of dental work later.
Even if she had a perfect set of teeth at the time of her marriage it was considered that her teeth would rot and her prospective husband should not be burdened with those extra dental costs.
Oswald George Havelock Sinfield 1882 -1965 a very well-known Glen Innes dentist between 1912 and 1965 had surgeries in various places in Glen Innes - north eastern side of Kwong Sings, in the Phoenix building, in the Utz building and finally 117 Wentworth Street- the house also became Dr Bill Boydell's surgery and is now the site of Family and Youth Support Services.
Known as "Sinny" he qualified as a dentist at 20 but could not register until he was 21.
His daughter Yvonne Morton said he first practiced in Kempsey and then spent two years in Portland, Oregan, USA.
He perfected a technique for immediate dentures as soon as teeth were extracted and gave lectures and demonstrations of this work Subsequently a film was made on this technique in Newcastle. He was also proficient in orthodontics.
Popular as a farewell speaker, he was on council and many local committees, and a keen golfer.
Come to Australia Day and Village Fair at the Museum Sunday 26 January.