About Us
Museum Mission
The mission of the Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry is to educate its audiences 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.
Inherent in the museum's mission is a dedication to stimulate an understanding and appreciation of dentistry in a historical context for museum visitors, including the University of Michigan School of Dentistry community, campus community, alumni, and the public.
Museum in the News
Our Story
The Sindecuse Museum was created in 1991 with a gift from Gordon H. Sindecuse, DDS, a 1921 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. In 1991 the museum hired its first professional part-time curator and opened on September 18, 1992. At its founding, the Sindecuse Museum was housed within the First and Ground Floor lobby areas of the Kellogg Institute Building. In 1995, plans were initiated to expand the museum as part of the Kellogg renovation.
By September 8, 2000 the Sindecuse Museum re-opened after a two-year construction phase. The internal courtyard connecting the Kellogg and Dental Buildings was converted into an atrium to house the museum’s expanded exhibit space. Five new exhibit cases were added in the hallway of the renovated space. A climate controlled room specifically designed for collection storage was part of the renovation in the Kellogg Building. It includes state-of-the-art storage cabinets and mobile storage racks.
Today the museum is staffed by a full-time museum professional, Curator, Shannon O'Dell. University of Michigan students work part time on computer cataloging, digital photography and exhibit research and maintenance.