Dentistry In The 1800s

The dictionary definition of dentistry is “the treatment of diseases and other conditions that affect the teeth and gums, especially the repair and extraction of teeth and the insertion of artificial ones” (“Dentistry”). Although the definition has not changed throughout history, the methods used for treating these problems have changed significantly. What is considered a refined profession now, was just a common practice that could be done anywhere. The first signs of basic practice were nothing similar to what is used today. Most problems were defined as having a spiritual cause and were solved without a surgical procedure, for instance “... the ancient Egyptians believed that the sun god protected mice, so for a toothache the body of a

As of right now there are nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. They are dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics. Dental public health was the first recognized specialty in 1976. It is defined as “the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts” (“Specialty”). This specialty deals with the education of the public as well as the patient. The next specialty recognized was endodontics in 1983, which is “the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues” (“Specialty”). The main purpose is to diagnose and prevent diseases associated with the pulp. The next was oral and maxillofacial surgery. This is “the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the [mouth, jaws, and face]” (“Specialty”).After oral and maxillofacial surgery was established, oral and maxillofacial pathology was established in 1991. This is “the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions” (“Specialty”). Dentists that specialize in this regoing research to prevent these diseases. In 1992 periodontics was recognized. This is “the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues” (“Specialty”). The next acknowledged specialty was, in 1995, pediatric dentistry, which is “an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic