Dentists

Modern dentistry

In the 1840s, the world's first dental school and national dental organization were established. Along with the first dental school came the establishment of the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, often referred to as a DDS degree. In response to the rise in new dentists as well as dentistry techniques, the first dental practice act was established to regulate dentistry. In the United States, the First Dental Practice Act required dentists to pass each specific state's medical board exam in order to practice dentistry in that particular state. However, because the Dental Act was rarely enforced, some dentists did not obey the act. From 1846 to 1855, new dental techniques were being invented, such as the use of ether anesthesia for surgery and the cohesive gold foil method, which enabled gold to be applied to a cavity. The American Dental Association was established in 1859 after a meeting with 26 dentists. Around 1867, the first university-associated dental school was established, Harvard Dental School. Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first woman to earn a dental degree.