Ophthalmology

Historical Background The history of dental practice goes back as far as thousands of years, when the earliest forms of dental practice, using crude implements and practices, were undertaken to preserve oral health. For example, it has been believed that the ancient Egyptians used a kind of toothpaste made from ground pumice stone and wine vinegar to clean their teeth. In fact, excavations have uncovered the use of procedures for the extraction of teeth and primitive prosthetics dating back to 7000 BC.

Ancient Greeks were the first to detail the treatment of tooth decay and other oral health issues, while the Roman developed dental care that allowed them to learn manufacturing dental instruments and oral hygiene. A Chinese history dates the practice of using dental fillings since ancient times when in the 7th century they documented it using a mixture of silver and mercury.

The modern age of dentistry began during the 18th century through contributions from various sources, most notable of which was the French surgeon Pierre Fauchard, often referred to as the “father of modern dentistry.” Fauchard brought new techniques and instruments for treating the teeth and gums and laid the foundation for modern dental practices. In the 19th century, anesthesia was available for dental procedures and dental schools became established, which furthered the profession.

Today, dental care is a highly advanced branch of medicine with technologically advanced appliances like X-rays, lasers, and digital imaging, which help in more accurate and minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment.