Women's work

The election of a woman, Alison Lockyer, to chair the General Dental Council seemed a good excuse for Apolline to celebrate the role of women in dentistry. After all the patron saint of dentists – and patients with toothache – is St Apollonia. She was martyred by the gruesome process of having her teeth removed first, or so it is said. She appears on the coat of arms of the British Dental Association wielding a pair of pliers.

Fifty years ago women were a rarity in the profession. Only a few were accepted into dental schools each year, whereas now more than half of those graduating are women. Then along came a certain Margaret Mitchell, now better known to us as Dame Margaret Seward. After qualification she discussed the possibility of applying for the resident house job at the London. She was told 'Forget it, the job is always given to a man.' Apparently the hospital consultants viewed the incumbent of the post as the perfect partner to accompany their daughters to hospital balls.