Scanning Europe’s Largest Dental Book Collection: A Leap into the Digital Future

Image source: Dentalmuseum Logo
Image source: Dentalmuseum Logo

The Dental Museum in Colditz, Germany, is home to Europe’s largest collection of dental literature. It is a remarkable resource for the history and development of dental science. After decades of collecting, the museum is now digitizing its holdings to make them accessible to researchers, educators, and the public worldwide.

A Vision for Open Science

“Our goal is to unlock the scientific works that document the evolution of dentistry—from its earliest beginnings to today—for research, education, and the advancement of medical science,” says Andreas Haesler, founder of the Dental Museum.

Thanks to dedicated funding, the museum has acquired the ScanRobot® 2.0 MDS, our state-of-the-art automatic book scanner, to accelerate the digitization process. Given the sheer volume of books and limited staff, manual scanning is no longer feasible. The ScanRobot® ensures fast, high-quality digitization, preserving this cultural and scientific heritage for future generations.

A Perfect Symbiosis: Technology and Inclusion

At the heart of this project is Tom, an autistic employee whose precision and attention to detail align seamlessly with the ScanRobot®. He combines a careful approach to each book with the scanner’s speed and efficiency. Together, they form a powerful team:

  • Tom’s meticulous work supports consistent scan quality.
  • The ScanRobot® helps maximizing scanning output without compromising accuracy.

This collaboration not only boosts productivity but also highlights the importance of inclusive workplaces where diverse strengths contribute to shared success.

From Hesire to Nainuwa®: A Legacy of Knowledge

Collecting dental information actually began with Hesire 4,600 years ago in Egypt, whose records laid the foundation for modern dentistry and what is now the foundation of our current body of knowledge. Over the decades, the Dental Museum has brought together collections and equipment from around the world. As a result it stands as an internationally recognized research center, preserving and expanding this legacy.

The next milestone is launching Nainuwa®, our digital library and search platform, that will host the scanned collection. It ensures a convenient way to access the digitized material.  

“We are proud to partner with Treventus in our mission to democratize access to cultural and scientific heritage,” adds Haesler.

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