Ch.1

Early History of Dentistry and Dental Education

Learning Objectives

  • 1. Key Terms
      - Pronounce, define, and spell the key terms related to early dentistry.

  • 2. Ancient Contributions
      - Compare and contrast early contributions to dentistry from ancient cultures:
        - Hippocrates' Role: Known as the 'Father of Medicine'.
        - Hippocratic Oath Basics: Fundamental ethical guideline established during Hippocratic times.
        - Silver Amalgam Paste: First developed by ancient Chinese for filling teeth.
        - Roman Contributions: Significant Romans who impacted oral hygiene and dentistry practices.

  • 3. Renaissance Contributors
      - Identify key contributors during the Renaissance period and their contributions to dental history.

  • 4. Early America Contributions
      - Recognize notable contributions in dental history by early Americans, including:
        - The individual credited with the emergence of forensic dentistry.

  • 5. Dental Education
      - List contributions to dental education and professional development, including:
        - Contributions by Horace H. Hayden and Chapin A. Harris.
        - Two major contributions from G. V. Black.
        - The scientist who discovered X-rays.
        - The physician who first utilized nitrous oxide for tooth extractions.

  • 6. Key Women in Dental History
      - Identify significant women in dentistry, including:
        - The first woman to discover oral hairy leukoplakia.
        - The first woman who graduated from a dental college.
        - The first woman practitioner in the United States.

  • 7. Key African Americans in Dental History
      - Identify significant African American contributors, including the first African American woman to receive a dental degree and the first African American to secure a DMD degree.

  • 8. Key American Indians in Dental History
      - Identify key contributors from American Indian backgrounds, including the first male and female American Indians to earn dental degrees.

  • 9. Dental Assisting and Hygiene Contributors
      - Identify pivotal contributors in dental assisting and hygiene, including:
        - The first dentist to employ a dental assistant and the contributions of Ann Ehrlich and Hazel Torres in dental assisting education.
        - The first individual recognized as a dental hygienist and Dr. Alfred C. Fones’ contributions to the field.

  • 10. Dental Accreditation
      - Explain the process and significance of dental accreditation.

  • 11. National Museum of Dentistry
      - Discuss the role and activities of the National Museum of Dentistry.

Introduction

  • Historical Significance: The importance of understanding the past in shaping future practices. Quote by B.W. Weinberger emphasizes the value of historical knowledge.

  • Dental History Overview: Overview of dental history, noting that the evolution of dental practices has roots that trace back to ancient cultures.

  • Prevalence of Dental Disease: Acknowledges the perennial nature of dental disease that has plagued humans throughout history, hinting at the incredible variety of techniques that have emerged over time.

Early Times
The Egyptians

  • First Known Dentist: Hesi-Re, dating back to about 3000 BC, is recognized as the earliest dentist and titled “Chief of the Toothers and the Physicians.”

  • Periodontal Disease Evidence: Radiographs of mummies confirm that Egyptian pharaohs suffered from periodontal (gum) disease, demonstrating early awareness of dental health issues.

The Greeks

  • Hippocrates: Lived from 460-377 BC, was dubbed the 'Father of Medicine' due to his contributions to medical practices and ethics.

  • Philosophical Contributions: Aristotle discussed dental health in various writings, contributing to the understanding of the human body.

  • Oral Hygiene Recommendations: Diocles of Carystus, a physician of Aristotle's time, advocated for “rubbing the teeth and gums” as an early form of oral hygiene practice.

The Chinese

  • Early Dentistry: The practice of dentistry in China dates back to around 2000 BC.

  • Amalgam Paste Development: By the second century AD, Chinese innovators developed a silver amalgam paste for fillings, predating similar developments in the West.

  • T’ing To-t’ung and Yu Shu: These scholars documented the swallowing process in the 11th century, indicating early interest in human anatomy and health.

The Romans

  • Dental Literature: Various Roman physicians wrote about dentistry, asserting the importance of oral health in their medical texts.

  • Toothworm Theory: A common yet erroneous belief held during this time was that toothaches were caused by a 'toothworm'.

  • Restorative Techniques: Romans excelled at restoring decayed teeth using gold crowns and held a strong culture of oral hygiene.

The Renaissance

  • Leonardo da Vinci: Known for his comprehensive studies of the human body; he distinguished between molars and premolars in his anatomical sketches.

  • Ambroise Paré: Considered the father of modern surgery, his work built the foundation for surgical practices, influencing dental techniques.

  • Pierre Fauchard: Recognized as the founder of modern dentistry, he promoted dentistry as a distinct profession separate from medicine, solidifying its standing as a healthcare discipline.

Early America
Developments in Dentistry

  • Robert Woofendale: One of the first documented dentists in the American colonies.

  • John Baker, MD: Practiced dentistry in key cities like New York and Boston and treated notable individuals, including George Washington.

  • Paul Revere: Historical figure who transitioned from silversmithing to dentistry; credited as an early pioneer of forensic dental evidence to identify human remains.

Notable Dentists

  • Isaac Greenwood: The first native-born American dentist, trained under Dr. John Baker.

  • John Greenwood: Son of Isaac Greenwood, he served in the American Revolutionary Army and later established a dental practice.

Educational and Professional Development in the United States

  • Foundation of Dentistry: Horace Hayden and Chapin A. Harris are acknowledged for their roles in elevating dentistry's status and establishing the first dental college, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, now known as the University of Maryland's School of Dentistry.

Dr. Green Vardiman Black (1836-1915)

  • Widely lauded as G.V. Black or the “Grand Old Man of Dentistry.”

  • Contributions: He developed standardized methodologies for cavity preparation and fillings and introduced the principle of “extension for prevention,” enhancing preventive dental care.

  • Education Influence: He served in educational roles, wrote over 500 articles, and authored several books, influencing future dental practices and education.

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (1845-1923)

  • X-ray Discovery: This Bavarian physicist discovered X-rays in 1895, a groundbreaking moment that transformed diagnostic processes in dentistry.

Horace Wells (1815-1848)

  • Anesthesia Pioneer: Dr. Wells is noted for discovering inhalation anesthesia in 1844, fundamentally changing pain management in dental procedures.

  • Pain-Free Dentistry: He recognized the benefits of using nitrous oxide to provide patients with a pain-free dental experience.

Women in Dental History
Early Barriers

  • Exclusion from Education: In the 18th and early 19th centuries, female admissions to dental schools were rare.

Breaking Barriers

  • Lucy B. Hobbs-Taylor: Despite facing rejection from dental colleges, she trained under her husband and opened her dental practice, becoming a significant trailblazer.

  • Emeline Robert Jones: She became the first woman dentist in the U.S., starting her career under the guidance of her dentist husband.

  • Current Status: Women today actively participate in various dental associations and specialties, with a projection that by 2020, women would compose 20% of dentists.

African Americans in Dental History
Noteworthy Figures

  • Ida Gray (1867-1953): She was the first black woman to earn a DDS degree and practice dentistry in Chicago, positively impacting the field into the early 20th century.

  • Harvard's Historic Class: In 1867, Harvard admitted Robert Tanner Freeman, its first black dental student, marking an important step in inclusivity in dental education.

American Indians in Dental History
Significant Contributors

  • Dr. George Blue Spruce, Jr.: Recognized as the first American Indian dentist, he currently serves in an academic leadership capacity at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

  • Jessica A. Rickert: The first registered American Indian female dentist, awarded for her contributions to access dental care for underserved populations.

History of Dental Assisting

  • C. Edmund Kells: Recognized for employing the first dental assistant, paving the way for women to comfortably enter a dental practice environment.

  • Role Evolution: Kells recognized the value of dental assistants, leading to the formal incorporation of dental assistants in practice by 1900.

Hazel O. Torres and Ann Ehrlich

  • Textbook Contribution: In 1976, they co-authored "Modern Dental Assisting," the first significant textbook written for dental assistants that set educational standards in the field.

History of Dental Hygiene

  • Irene Newman: She was the first trained dental hygienist in Connecticut, trained by Dr. Alfred C. Fones, who pioneered the concept of dental hygiene.

  • School Foundation: Dr. Fones established the first dental hygiene school in 1913, known today as the Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport.

Dental Accreditation

  • Establishment and Growth: By 1900, dentistry had matured into a well-established profession with increased educational demands for dentists and dental professionals.

  • Accreditation Oversight: The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) sets education program standards, ensuring quality assurance for dental education across the United States.

National Museum of Dentistry
General Information

  • Institution Background: The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, located at the historic grounds of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery.

  • Education Programs: The museum organizes numerous interactive exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs that depict the history and future trajectories of dentistry, emphasizing oral health as a key component in overall health.