Unearthing Historical Archaeology of two Dental Clinics: Melbourne's METRO Teeth.

Objectives: To
- understand the profile/range of disease in teeth in this archaeological assemblage.
- investigate possible population ancestry based on morphological evaluation of the teeth.
- determine differences in dental features (disease, type of tooth extracted, attrition, staining) between the two clinics represented in the assemblage.
Methods: During a large building program in Melbourne's central business district, an archaeological excavation at the site uncovered two separate assemblages of extracted human teeth, numbering over 2400 (n=2456). Historical research revealed the teeth as originating from two separate dental clinics operating on the sites at different times. Locations and numbers of teeth at different parts of the site were recorded by the archaeologists (Ochre Imprints), and the teeth stored in archival boxes.
Teeth were visually assessed: features noted and graded. Features included morphological variations, evidence of developmental defects, disease status (periodontitis, carious lesions), attrition/abrasion/erosion and discolouration.
Once tabulated, a general linear model was used to determine statistical differences in the profile of teeth originating from the two different clinic sites.
Results: Data collected from the teeth from the two clinical sites within the same block demonstrated distinct differences. For example, the older of the two sites has a higher proportion of fractured teeth. The older clinic site also has a higher proportion of anterior teeth compared with the more recent clinic. There was evidence of a somewhat diverse clientelle for each clinic, based on the morphological variation evident in the collections. Proportions of caries and periodontal disease (as detected by visual inspection of the teeth) also differed between the two clinics.
Conclusions: There was a range of oral health stata in the collections, and distinct differences between the two clinics. This may be due to the difference in clientelle between the two clinics, and the difference in focus between the two dental clinic (tentatively confirmed by the marketing emphasis of the two clinics). There was evidence of diverse populations of origin of the teeth in the two assemblages, supported by knowledge of population movements through the city of Melbourne at the time (at the tail end of Victoria's Gold Rush).