The Big PictureEighteenth century dentistry in North America
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Background
Before North American declared independence from England, men were prepared to take a hazardous journey across the Atlantic and then re-establish themselves as dentists in their new home. Notable among the names with whom the profession of dentistry in North America is associated are Paul Revere and George Washington. The famous rider of the Revolution was trained in dental techniques; the first President was a patient whose dental woes have been immortalized in American history. Often dentists
Official Appointments Before the War
With North America under British rule, the Gazettes in England covered hospital appointments in the Colony as well as in England. Three of the practitioners George Washington consulted were listed as dentists or surgeon-dentists. In the first volume of the American Journal of Dental Science, which was the first such journal in the world, John Greenwood was identified as Surgeon Dentist to his Excellency George Washington. Washington had numerous dental complaints and had lost all his teeth by
The War of Independence and Thereafter
The American War of Independence, which lasted from 1775 to 1783, pitted the Colony aided by France against England. However, French terms for dentistry were not adopted. Immediately after the war ended, Andrew Spence, the nephew of Thomas Spence, who was “dentist to his Britannic Majesty,” arrived in the new nation, as did the second son of Bartholomew Ruspini. Between 1766 and 1799 about 51 dentists and surgeon dentists were practicing in North America. Washington’s ledger notes that William
Public Service
A surgeon-dentist from London, Mr Hornby, advertised in 1772 that he would give free advice and medicine to the poor. In addition, Richard Cortland Skinner, like dentists who received appointments in England, was noted for being appointed Dentist to the Dispensary of New York in 1792. He added a rider to his certificate of appointment as follows: “Poor people afflicted with complaints in the teeth and gums, will be attended at the dispensary, Hospital, Alms-house, or at the house of the
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Bishop M: ‘Dentists’ and the establishment of the Anglo-American profession in the 18th century. Part 4. North America. Br Dent J 217:691-694, 2014
Reprints available from M Bishop; e-mail: [email protected]