Murphy the Molar

Illustration of a white tooth with arms and legs and a smiling face on a redish orange background.

This button features Murphy the Molar, a mascot created in the 1970s. Murphy was created by Dr. Samuel M. Green, DDS, director of dentistry in the Ontario Ministry of Health, to teach children how to properly brush and floss their teeth. Murphy the Molar was featured in videos, commercials, and buttons in part of a campaign for improved oral hygiene throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Dr. Green also created the Tooth Fairy Society of Canada in which children would mail out their baby teeth to the Tooth Fairy, and created the Smileathon, both of which were designed to encourage children to learn about dental health. Murphy the Molar was taken out of circulation in the 1980s, while Dr. Green retired from dentistry in 2000, but continues to be involved in public health movements.

(2005). From “Smileathons” to Rodeo: “Murphy the Molar” creator finds new creativity in retirement. Financial News & Views, 21. Retrieved from: http://www.algbrown.com/Newsletter21.pdf.