Painless Parker
Encyclopedia
Edgar R.R. "Painless" Parker (1871–1951) was a flamboyant street dentist
and huckster. He attended Philadelphia Dental College which would become Temple University
dental school, and began his practice as a street dentist in New York City
. He went on to manage a combination traveling circus/dental clinic, promoting "painless dentistry". At one point he claimed to have pulled 357 teeth in one day, which he strung on a necklace. He legally changed his first name to "Painless", when he was accused of breaking a false advertisement
law by claiming that his dentistry was truly painless. In the end, Parker ran about 30 West Coast dental offices, employing over 70 dentists, and grossing $3 million per year.
Parker is mentioned in the song 'Orange Claw Hammer', by musician and poet Don Van Vliet.
Street dentistry
Street dentistry is the unlicensed practice of dentistry in the street, usually for people who are unable to afford licensed dental care.-History:...
and huckster. He attended Philadelphia Dental College which would become Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
dental school, and began his practice as a street dentist in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He went on to manage a combination traveling circus/dental clinic, promoting "painless dentistry". At one point he claimed to have pulled 357 teeth in one day, which he strung on a necklace. He legally changed his first name to "Painless", when he was accused of breaking a false advertisement
False advertising
False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or...
law by claiming that his dentistry was truly painless. In the end, Parker ran about 30 West Coast dental offices, employing over 70 dentists, and grossing $3 million per year.
Parker is mentioned in the song 'Orange Claw Hammer', by musician and poet Don Van Vliet.
Further reading
- "Early Adventures of Painless Parker" by Peter M. Pronych and Arden G. Christen, Miramichi Books, Canada.