Conservative doctor saves old toothy type in shock (4)
I believe the answer is:
comb
'toothy type in shock' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'conservative doctor saves old' is the wordplay.
'conservative' becomes 'C' (UK political abbreviation).
'doctor' becomes 'mb' (Bachelor of Medicine, Medicinae Baccalaureus).
'saves' is an insertion indicator.
'old' becomes 'o' (abbreviation as in OT - Old Testament).
'c'+'mb'='cmb'
'cmb' placed around 'o' is 'COMB'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for comb that I've seen before include "Device with teeth - store for honey" , "business storage unit" , "Toothed implement - search (the area)" , "Untangle (hair)" , "Red crest on a cock's head" .)