History of Dentistry
Each science has its own history. Dentistry is not very old branch of medicine but its roots came from the early years of existing of the human being.
It is known that prehistoric man suffered from the same dental diseases as people do nowadays. The first mention about toothache was found in Mesopotamia. Some inhabitants of Mesopotamia stated that the cause of tooth decay (caries) was the worm. This is logical, as the holes created by cavities are somewhat similar to those bored by worms into wood. The ancient Hindus inserted gold into holes. They used extraction tools and other dental instruments; they also treated gum diseases. In ancient China toothache was treated by acupuncture. In Egypt lost teeth were replaced with extracted ones from slaves and they were held by gold wire.
Ancient Greek scholars Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry, including the eruption pattern of teeth, treating decayed teeth and gum disease, extracting teeth with forceps, and using wires to stabilize loose teeth and fractured jaws. Galen was the founder of theory that decay was caused by disturbance in the blood.
Historically, dental extractions have been used to treat a variety of illnesses. During the Middle Ages and throughout the 19th century, dentistry was not a profession in itself, and often dental procedures were performed by barbers or general physicians. Barbers usually limited their practice to extracting teeth which alleviated pain and associated chronic tooth infection.
The first dental textbook written in English was called "Operator for the Teeth" by Charles Allen in 1685. It was between 1650 and 1800 that the science of modern dentistry developed. It is said that the 17th century French physician Pierre Fauchard started dentistry science as we know it today, and he has been named "the father of modern dentistry" because his book “The Surgeon Dentist, A Treatise on Teeth” was the first to describe a comprehensive system for caring for and treating the teeth. Among many of his developments were the extensive use of dental prosthesis, the introduction of dental fillings as a treatment for dental caries.
The first dental foot engine was built in 1790 by John Greenwood and one of George Washington’s dentists. It was made from an adapted foot-powered spinning wheel. In 1871, George F. Green invented the first electrical dental engine.
1790 was a big year for dentistry, as this was also the year the first specialized dental chair was invented. It was made from a wooden chair with a headrest attached.
The First Dental School was founded in 1840. Chapin Harris and Horace Hayden founded the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, the first school dedicated solely to dentistry. The college merged with the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1923, which still exists today.
Dentistry has seen a great deal of innovation over the past 100 years. In 1903 Charles Land devised the porcelain jacket crown. In 1905, Alfred Einhord, a German chemist, discovered Novocain. In 1938, the first tooth brush with synthetic nylon bristles hit the market. In 1945, the water fluoridation era began when the cities of Newburgh, NY and Grand Rapid decided to add fluoride to the public water supply. In 1950, the first fluoride toothpastes are marketed. In 1957, John Borden invented the first high speed electric hand drill. In the 1960s, the first dental lasers are developed and used for soft tissue procedures. The 1960s also saw the invention of the first electric toothbrush.
The 1990s marks the beginning of the era of cosmetic dentistry, with the increased popularity of veneers, bleaching, and dental implants.
With the advent of the 20th century dentistry continued to progress on many fronts including technology, oral hygiene, preventive dentistry and dental education.
Ex.17. Find in the text the equivalents for the following words and word-combinations:
Стоматологія, профілактична стоматологія, хвороби зубів, видалення зубів, зламана щелепа, хвороби ясен, утримувати зуби разом, французький лікар, карієс, лікувати каріозний зуб, стоматологічні процедури, хронічна інфекція зуба, застосування зубних протезів, електрична бормашина, присвячуватися виключно стоматології, підголовник, електрична зубна щітка, порцелянова коронка, зубна паста з умістом фтору, м’які тканини, косметична стоматологія, відбілювання зубів, фторування водопровідної води, ручна бормашина.
Ex.18. Answer the following questions:
1. Is dentistry a new branch of medicine? 2. What did the ancient Hindus insert into holes? 3. How were lost teeth replaced in ancient Egypt? 4. What was the idea of tooth worm hypothesis? 5. What did ancient Greek scholars Hippocrates and Aristotle write about dentistry? 6. When was the science of modern dentistry developed? 7. Who is said to be the father of modern dentistry? 8. When was the first dental foot engine built? 9. What was the first school dedicated solely to dentistry? 10. What are dental inventions of the XX century?
Ex.19. Insert the missing words:
1. Dentistry has seen a great deal of ______________ over the past 100 years. 2. The first dental foot _________ was built in 1790by John Greenwood. 3. Barbers usually limited their practice to extracting teeth which alleviated ______ and associated chronic tooth infection.
4. Prehistoric man suffered from the same dental ____________ as people do nowadays.
5. Galen was the founder of theory that _______ was caused by disturbance in the blood. 6. John Borden invented the first high speed electric hand _______. 7. The 1990s marks the beginning of the era of ___________ dentistry. 8. The first tooth brush with synthetic nylon __________ hit the market.
Ex.20. Skim through the text "History of Dentistry" and find sentences expressing its main idea.
Ex.21. Make up a plan of the text " History of Dentistry ".
Ex.22. Tell the group about history of Dentistry keeping the following consistency:
Ancient times; Middle Ages; the 19th century; the 20th century.
Ex.23. Read the following text and write out unknown words: