Dentist Accomplishments

The maintenance of oral hygiene and care is an important factor in having a certain quality of life. The curiosity with teeth can be dated as far back as 5000 BC whereas the cause of tooth decay was perceived as “tooth worms” (American Dental Association). This curiosity inevitable grew into the development of dentistry as a significant profession. Dentists provide a positive impact on society through their efforts. This positive impact has encouraged me to pursue a career in the dental profession. Throughout ancient times there had been an interest in teeth and oral maintenance. Although a variety of dental observations and treatments where performed in ancient times, it was not until the Middle Ages that dentistry was beginning to form into a profession. In 1210 a Guild of Barbers was established in France

The practice of dentistry grew further, particularly in Europe and the United States. 1839 and 1840 marked a particularly organized years for dentistry. In 1839 the American Journal of Dental Science, the first dental journal, was established The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery was the first dental school established as well as the American Society of Dental Surgeons (Kamen). The education of dentists developed along with the establishments of dental schools around America. Even with the establishment of schools many aspiring dentists gained their skills through on the job training. It was not until the establishment of the Fones Clinic for Dental Hygienists in Bridgeport, Connecticut that dentistry was taught as curriculum at the college level. State licensing was first established in America in 1868 and is now a requirement to practice dentistry in the United States (Kamen). State requirements for licensing vary but all states require education from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on