title: A periodontal case report by Dr. S.L. Clemens.
abstract: Mark Twain provides a humorous and insightful look into the origins of periodontal therapy and anesthesia in "Happy Memories of the Dental Chair". The main character of this story is Dr. John Riggs, the father of periodontics. Dr. Horace Wells, a pioneer in the field of anesthesia, also appears in the story. Twain presents his autobiographical experiences with dentistry in his literary work in a form that can be seen to be similar to a case report in a professional dental journal.
authors.affiliation: Cariology and Comprehensive Care, NYU College of Dentistry, 345 E. 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA. wjm10@nyu.edu
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Maloney
mesh_terms: D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D003237:Connecticut; D005197:Famous Persons; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008093:Literature, Modern / Q000266:history*; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000266:history*; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic / Q000266:history*