History of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene

A collection of vocabulary terms and key figures regarding the history of dentistry, dental hygiene milestones, specialties, and the dental team.

$3500BC$ Babylonians and Egyptians

Used frayed twigs to clean teeth.

$1000BC$ Chinese Literature

Recorded the first toothbrush made of horsehair bristles.

Hippocrates and Aristotle

Wrote between $500$ and $300BC$ about dentistry topics including eruption patterns, gum disease, and extracting teeth with forceps.

Pierre Fachard

Known as the Father of Dentistry; he published The Surgeon Dentist, a Treatise on Teeth (Le Chirurgien Dentiste) in $1723$.

William Addis

An Englishman who created the modern toothbrush design around $1780$.

Thaddeus Hyatt

Known as the Father of Preventative dentisty; he advised dentists to teach patients how to prevent decay at home in the $1900s$.

Alfred Fones

Developed the term dental hygienist in $1911$ and established the Fones School in $1913$.

Irene Newman

The first line hygienist and first president of the Connecticut Dental Hygienists Association, graduating in $1917$.

ADHA

The American dental hygienists' association, established in $1923$, which celebrated its $100$-year anniversary in $2013$.

Dr. Frank Lamons

Honorary member who wrote the first dental hygiene oath in $1948$.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

The first city on the planet to add fluoride to drinking water in $1945$.

Sigma Phi Alpha

The Dental Hygiene Honor Society founded in $1958$.

Esther Wilkins

Author of the first edition of Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienists published in $1959$.

The Broxo

The first electric toothbrush, introduced in $1959$.

Jack Oreo

The first male to graduate from the University of Mexico in $1965$.

OSHA

Established in $1992$; stands for infection control and on-the-job safety.

Periodontics

The specialty of gum diseases (Perio-around, Odont-tooth).

Endodontics

Dentistry concerning dental pulp and tissues surrounding the roots of a tooth (Endo-inside, Odont-tooth).

Prosthodontics

Specialty involving prosthetics and replacing function.

Oral Pathology

The identification and management of diseases affecting oral and maxillofacial regions.

Public Health

The science of preventing dental diseases and promoting health through organized community efforts.

Orthodontics

The specialty of aligning teeth through methods like braces or Invisalign.

Pedodontics

Dentistry focused on diagnosing and treating children's dental issues.

Dental Hygienist (Credentials)

Typically requires an AS/AA/BS degree, a license, and provides prophylaxis among other procedures.

Lab Technician

A Certified Dental Technician (CDT) who makes appliances and indirect restorations.

Assistant

A team member with on-the-job training (OJT) or CDA credentials who helps with everything.