Harbin Sheng'an Odontology Museum, China's first museum related to teeth, officially opened Saturday in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Admission is free and exhibits include the development of odontology in China. Covering 150 square meters, the exhibition hall features tooth brushes of the Song Dynasty, toothpicks of the Qing Dynasty, and equipment for treating toothaches through history.

Lin Yong, the curator, said the museum would help more people learn about Chinese odontology development and enhance public awareness of the need to protect teeth.

The initiators of the museum, Harbin Haiyuan Odontology Co., Ltd. and Harbin Sheng'an Medical Institute, will invest an additional 1 million yuan to enlarge the museum.

Sept. 20 is China's 15th "Love Teeth Day".

(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2003)