Trying to get around the entire museum in one afternoon got a bit tiresome by the end and there were definitely bits that interested me more than others.

My favourite section by far was the Science and Art of Medicine - we spent the most time up there on the 5th floor (if you get a chance take a peek out of a window, the views are great too!).

Of course those of you loyal readers will guess, the part of that exhibition that interested me most were the dentistry related things, especially since I watched that programme on the BBC: 'Drills, Dentures and Dentistry: An Oral History'.

It was really fascinating to compare my everyday tools to those I saw exhibited like foot powered drills or hand burs. Or the chunky denture blocks used as false teeth made of Hippo Ivory which would rot in the mouths of patients (ew!).
Some things weren't too unfamiliar though, like the trays used to make impressions for dentures which looked pretty familiar to what I use day to day in practice (although not made of gold).

I know it sounds cliché but seeing how medicine has developed throughout history really does make you grateful for the health service you can get today, despite all the faults of the NHS.

After going around this part of museum, my boyfriend then asked me what I thought was the most important development in medicine in the past few centuries..... and the answer probably reflects the area of medicine I practise everyday, but I said local anaesthetic, but what do you think? 

Some of the dental-related items at the museum, working clockwise from top: a denture block carved from hippo ivory, a selection of instruments used to restore and fill teeth, ivory dentures including George Washington's, Vulcanite dentures and denture trays used to take impressions.

To find out more about the Science Museum, check out their website.

Yeoman Warder tour

The Crown Jewels

The Bloody Tower