Dentistry is one of the most ancient medical professions, born in 7000 BC. With the Indus Valley Civilization. However, it was not until 5000 BC. Details related to dental and dental caries were available. At the time, a Sumerian text attributed tooth decay to dental caries, an idea that was not proven wrong until the 17th century!
In ancient Greece, Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry, specifically the treatment of tooth decay, but it was not until 1530 that the first book was devoted entirely to dentistry – The Little Medicinal The Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Teeth of the Teeth. . – was published. .
By the 1700s, dentistry had become a more defined profession. In 1723, a French surgeon, Pierre Fauchard, credited as the father of the modern dentist, first published his influential book, The Surgeon Dentist, a treatise on teeth, a comprehensive system in dental care and treatment. Additionally, Fauchard first introduced the idea of dental filling and the use of dental prosthesis, and he found that the acid released from sugar allows teeth to rot.
In 1840, the first Dental College (Baltimore College of Dental Surgery) opened, requiring greater oversight. In the United States, Alabama led the way in implementing the first dental practice act in 1841, and about 20 years later, the American Dental Association (ADA) was formed. The first university-affiliated dental institution, Harvard University Dental School, was established in 1867.
By 1873, Colgate produced the first toothpaste on a large scale, and a few years later mass toothbrushes.
It may come as a surprise that the first African American to earn a dental degree in 1869 was involved in all types of dates, and the first female dental assistant was appointed in 1885 in New Orleans. The most surprising thing may be that most Americans did not adopt good brushing habits until after World War II, when soldiers stationed abroad brought the concept of good oral health back to the United States!
Other Fun Teeth Facts
Hesy-Re was an Egyptian scribe who lived around 2600 BC. And is previously recognized as a dentist.
Famous for warning colonial soldiers, Paul Revere, who was arriving for the British, was also trained as a dentist by John Baker, America’s first dentist.
Edward H. Engle, who started the first school of orthodontics in 1901, created a simple classification for crooked teeth in the late 1800s, which is still a system today.
In 1896, the first dental X-rays were used.
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American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) represents over 157,000 dentist members, and its vision is to be a recognized leader in oral health. The ADA works to advance the dental profession at the national, state and local levels.
American Dental Education Association
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is the voice of dental education. It aims to lead institutions and individuals in the dental education community to address contemporary issues affecting education, research, and the delivery of oral health care for the overall health and safety of the public.
American Student Dental Association
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