“This important book has significant implications not only for historians but also for those interested in contemporary dental health policy.†—Heather Munro Prescott, Central Connecticut State University
“Picard describes how American dentists were involved in various social movements during the 20th century. Their involvement encompassed public health starting in the early part of the century, efforts to fluoridate the nation’s water supplies to prevent tooth decay, social movements for racial and gender equity at mid-century, and the promotion of cosmetic services at the end of the century (a movement that continues today). It helps explain the obsession in the U.S. with having perfect teeth and a gleaming white smile. Recommended.†—Choice
“Good teeth signal social class and intellectual achievement in America, as Alyssa Picard knows well. In The Making of the American Mouth, she provides an engaging history of the evolution of American dentistry, including the profession’s influence over our social norms and health policy. It’s a book that anyone keen to understand and improve our current national state of oral health ought to read." —Health Affairs