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Dental Health Theatre
DESCRIPTION: One of St. Louis' offbeat sights, the Dental Health Theatre is the only one of its kind in the world. The main attraction here is a set of 16 three-foot tall illuminated fiberglass teeth which help demonstrate the need for good dental hygiene. There is only one other set of teeth like this -- in a museum in California. Presentations are 45 minutes long and include one of two films -- "Dudley The Dinosaur Goes to the Dentist" for young children and "The Haunted Mouth" for older children -- and a marionette puppet show designed to teach about dental health. The theatre also has a giant toothbrush and oversized dental floss used for demonstrations.
ADDRESS: 727 N. First Street, Ste. 103, St. Louis, MO
LOCATION: In the Laclede's Landing historic district along the Mississippi River.
PHONE NUMBER: 314-241-7391
GETTING THERE: From downtown, take Market Street east to Memorial Drive. Turn left on Memorial Drive and take it past the Gateway Arch to Washington Avenue. Turn right on Washington two blocks to First Street. Turn left on First and follow it to 727. The Dental Health Theatre is in the Rader Building.
METROLINK: Take MetroLink light rail to the Laclede's Landing exit. When you exit the station, turn left and walk up First Street to 727.
HOURS: Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Shows are 45 minutes long.
ADMISSION: Free. However, the film and the puppet show are given for groups of 15 or more. Call to ask if there is a group scheduled that you can join.
HISTORY: A Chicago dentist had the one-of-a-kind three-foot tall illuminated teeth made in the 1970's. When he found them difficult to house in his office, a local dentist bought them and brought them to St. Louis. With the help of other dentists in the area, he combined the teeth with a marionette puppet show the Dental Auxiliary, a group of dentists' wives, used to give at local schools and formed the Dental Health Theatre.
WHERE TO GET LUNCH: There are several good restaurants in the Laclede's Landing district.
WHAT'S NEARBY: The St. Louis Riverfront, the Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse and Old Cathedral and the President Casino.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Peggy Porter or Angie Haller, 314-241-7391
Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com
