A letter from Sir Winston Churchill written to his dentist, Sir Wilfred Fish was due to go up for sale at Bonhams this week (March 18). It was expected to fetch £600-£800.
In the letter, typewritten from Downing Street in 1954, Sir Winston tells the newly-knighted Fish (below right) how pleased he was to recommend him for the honour and asks him to tighten up an enclosed set of dentures.
Churchill suffered from dental problems for most of his life, losing several teeth in his 20s, and well fitting dentures were a matter of concern for him. These dentures were designed by Wilfred Fish and manufactured by Derek Cudlipp.
Fish, an active researcher and one of the most eminent dentists of his generation, became the first President of the General Dental Council in 1956 and held the post until 1964. He died in 1974.
Fish was also Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons, where the Hunterian museum now houses one of Churchill's dentures. Donated by Mr Cudlipp, the denture, worn by Churchill during the Second World War, is made from a cast gold plate with platinum clasps holding porcelain tooth facings.
Source : British Dental Journal 204, 286 (2008)
