This InfoGraphic clearly explains the history of dentistry. Dentistry has evolved a lot over the last 5,000 years, and our goal was to lay out the most impactful advances in dentistry. For the average person, this infographic provides the perfect description of the history of dentistry over the last few thousand years. From the Chinese to the Egyptians to the modern dentists we have now, there is a clear path of innovation. View the infographic at http://patcrawforddds.com/history-of-dentistry/.

1. The History of Dentistry

2. Facts

3. 3000 B.C.

4. Egypt

5. • In Sumer (now Iraq) in 2000 BC people
believed that tooth decay was caused by
worms. This strange belief carried on in the
West until Tudor Times.

6. • In the 18th century dentistry became more
scientific. In 1728 a French dentist called
Pierre Fauchard published a book called The
Surgeon Dentist. In 1771 an Englishman called
John Hunter published a book called The
Natural History of the Human Teeth.

7. • Dentistry took huge leaps in the late 18th
century and the 19th century. Porcelain false
teeth were invented in 1770. In 1790 Josiah
Flagg invented the dentists chair. In 1832
James Snell invented a reclining chair. In 1877
Basil Manly Wilkerson invented a hydraulic
chair. Furthermore for centuries rich patients
had gold fillings but amalgam was first used in
Europe around 1820.

8. • Then in 1846 Henry Morton demonstrated the
use of ether as an anaesthetic in dentistry. In
1864 George Fellows invented a clockwork
dental drill. In 1875 Dr Green invented an
electric dental drill. The air turbine dental drill
(using compressed air) was introduced in
1957.

9. • Until the late 19th century dentists usually learned
their trade by an apprenticeship. However in 1860 in
Britain The Royal College of Surgeons introduced the
Surgeons Licence in Dental Surgery. In 1879 a register
of dentists was set up. To be included in the register
you had to be qualified or you had to show you had
practiced dentistry before 1879. In Britain only people
on the register were allowed to use the word 'dentist'
or 'dental surgeon' However you did not have to be on
the register to practice surgery. You just couldn't use
the words dentist or dental surgeon and of course
there were ways around that!

10. • The British Medical Association was formed in
1880 and in 1895 Lilian Lindsey became the
first female dentist in Britain. The first dental
degree was awarded by Birmingham
University in 1901. Then in 1921 the law was
changed so only registered dentists could
practice dentistry.

11. • With the introduction of the NHS in 1948
dental care in Britain became much better.
Fluoride toothpaste was first sold in Britain in
1958. The first cordless electric toothbrush
went on sale in 1961.

12. • The dental scanner was introduced in 1987.
• For more information, visit:
• http://patcrawforddds.com/history-of-
dentistry/