Herbal plants were an essential component of the healing process in ancient medicine. Although only limited evidence documents the practice of dental extractions, a review of major medical works from ancient Greece and Rome demonstrates that conservative approaches predominated. A survey of the work of Celsus, Scribonius Largus, Dioscorides, Galen, Oribasius, and Aurelianus show that numerous plants-such as Hyoscyamus, mandragora, poppy, gall, pine, and pomegranate-were frequently employed to treat dental pain and gingival inflammation. These same herbal remedies reappeared throughout the medieval period, and many continue to be used in various forms today.
The name Brown's Remedies appears frequently in the history of Victorian-era patent medicine. This study examines four of the most prominent late-19th-century companies bearing the Brown name: the Curtis and Brown Manufacturing Co. of Boston, MA; the Norway Medicine Co. of Norway, ME; the Brown Chemical Co. of Baltimore, MD; and N. K. Browns of Burlington, VT. Each of these firms is well represented in the Ted Croll Collection at the NYU College of Dentistry through its extensive trade-card advertisements. Their rise and fall-marked by mislabeling, overstatement, and the misuse of public trust-offers a powerful cautionary tale for today's unregulated digital landscape, where extravagant claims flourish, and public confidence continues to erode.
The evolution of the bitewing radiograph has a varied history, vacillating between who did it first and who popularized its commercial applications. However, its importance in diagnosis and application to multiple areas of dentistry cannot be underestimated, especially as oral care has adopted a minimally invasive approach to tooth retention. The hallowed vaults of history are rich with confirming data and clarifying intent.
History aficionados and dental colleagues have lost a giant of the history of dentistry. Dr. Ben Swanson died at 91 years on 2 March 2026. Ben was born to accumulate things that interested him. As a youngster in San Antonio, he collected pencils, matchbook covers, stamps, coins, luggage labels, and postcards. As years went by, his collecting hobbies continued, including a concentration on Canadian coins. In the early 1960s, Ben's collecting interests focused on dentistry items, especially dental postcards and ceramic pot lids.
The paper describes examples of how serendipity and being in the right place at the right time have played a significant role in the academic career of a dental histologist (Dr BKB Berkovitz), in the hope that some of the big players in dentistry may reveal their examples to students of dental history.
William H. H. Hinds used a "letter sheet" to advertise his dental services in Ayer, Massachusetts in the early 1880s. This letter sheet is an excellent example of a dentist using the United States Postal Service for educational and promotional purposes in the 19th century. Dr. Hinds's letter sheet is shown and his biographical summary presented.
Like many major organizations, the British Dental Association has had a number of bases over the years, from 1880 in private homes, next in shared and rented accommodations and then, for many years, leasing a whole building in London's medical district. The latter included a library and museum, both of major interest to dental historians. Sadly, that phase came to an end in 2025. This paper explores why that happened and its worrying implications for dental historians.
This comprehensive historical review traces the evolution of orthodontics from antiquity to the 21st century. It begins by defining the major stages of orthodontic development, then explores early concerns about dental alignment in classical civilizations, followed by innovations in the 16th and 17th centuries that laid the groundwork for modern intervention. The 18th century marked a turning point with more deliberate attempts to correct malocclusions, culminating in the emergence of formal orthodontic treatment in the 19th century with the advent of fixed appliances and specialized elements used in orthodontics. The 20th century witnessed the institutionalization of orthodontics, including the development of orthognathic surgery, cephalometric imaging, and eventually the introduction of aligner therapy with Invisalign. Contemporary orthodontics in the 21st century is defined by digital technologies, interdisciplinary care, and personalized treatment planning. The review concludes with key observations and a detailed timeline summarizing landmark milestones in the history of the field.
The Ideal Felt Tooth Polisher was made by the Horsey Manufacturing Company in Utica, New York, in the early 1880s. With multiple endorsements by prominent dentists, printed on the reverse side of trade cards, the company led readers to believe that the product was superior to toothbrushes. The text on one particular trade card displayed endorsements from C.M. Richmond and Josiah Foster Flagg. In addition, the obverse of that card features Helena Modjeska, a "superstar" actress of the time. Madame Modjeska added her very favorable endorsement on the reverse. By happenstance, "Modjeskas" became the name of a popular confection that has remained a delectable candy treat to this day.
In 1945, the North American concept of adjusted water fluoridation (AWF) formally emerged in the dental literature of the Commonwealth of Australia (Australia). Unconditional endorsement and implementation did not occur for eight years. Evidence is scattered throughout archives, involved many gatekeepers and the narrative is poorly recorded. The authors used a traditional historical approach in assessing the archives. The complexity, diversity and climate-specificity of decades of multidisciplinary North American research findings meant that, in Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council could not simply endorse AWF in chorus with North American institutions. Accordingly, the authors provide the socio-political and scientific contexts, developments, evidence, findings, motives, thought and practice relating to the delayed introduction of AWF. The constitutional and statutory backgrounds and immediate post-1945 circumstances, the lack of contemporaneous research infrastructure and the physiographic features of Australia: all impeded nationally coordinated AWF advocacy, endorsement and implementation. Unlike many other therapeutic measures, the validation and implementation of AWF in Australia required assessment, caution, delay and, eventually, regulation. Despite Sydney becoming the hub of AWF advocacy, the unforeseen and autonomous implementation of AWF at Beaconsfield (Tasmania, 1953) was due to the diligence, foresight and influence of local engineer, Frank Grey.
This article, the seventh in an eight-part special issue on dental eponyms, focuses on 18 key eponyms in restorative dentistry contributed by 19 innovative dentists, scientists, and engineers. Eponyms serve as historical reminders of the legacy of individuals whose innovations have shaped clinical practice. In this paper, we explore contributions ranging from the Toffelmire matrix systems to Hollanbeck carvers and Morrison adjustable chairs. This paper underscores the importance of remembering the foundational figures in dentistry. In doing so, it reinforces the value of historical continuity and honors the lasting impact of those who advanced the field of restorative care.
This paper explores the historical evolution of dentistry through the lens of eponyms, focusing particularly on endodontics. From the era of extractions to the introduction of restorations by Pierre Fauchard and the development of prosthodontics and root preservation in the 19th century, dentistry has advanced in parallel with scientific breakthroughs in microbiology and technology. These innovations enabled the understanding and treatment of pulpal disease and the creation of effective root canal techniques. We highlight 31 key eponyms-32 individuals whose contributions to instruments, methods, materials, or classifications shaped modern endodontics and whose legacies remain embedded in practice.
Dentistry has witnessed a steady expansion of technological advancements and innovations throughout its history. Today, over 250 names are associated with oral and dental eponyms. In this paper, we highlight 21 eponyms and 24 names that are specific to the field of orthodontics. Each entry briefly presents the individual's name, educational background, notable contribution, and primary references to the original descriptions. This study aims to commemorate these pioneers-many of whom have been forgotten decades or even centuries after their significant contributions to the field.
This paper explores twenty dental eponyms related to periodontal disease and oral microbiology, highlighting key pathogens such as the Koch bacillus (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), Actinomyces israelii, Treponema vincentii, Prevotella intermedia, and Veillonella parvula. It also examines seminal contributions to infection control and diagnostics, including Listerine, pasteurization, and histological stains such as the Gram and Giemsa stains. These eponyms commemorate the pioneering work of scientists like Koch, Pasteur, and Löffler, who made foundational discoveries under challenging conditions with limited laboratory resources. By revisiting their achievements, this paper underscores the importance of preserving historical memory in dental education and practice, ensuring that new generations appreciate the origins and enduring impact of these milestones in microbiology and periodontology.
This article, the second in a series of eight, highlights the lives and original works of 21 scientists whose names are preserved in 20 enduring eponyms still found in dental anatomy and histology textbooks. Though frequently referenced in education, the historical context and the original publications behind these terms are often overlooked. By revisiting their biographies and citing the original sources where each eponym was first described, this work offers a long-overdue acknowledgment of their lasting contributions to dental science.
Do you ever wonder who is behind the names, diseases, structures, procedures, or syndromes often taught in dental or medical school? For instance, the Cusp of Carabelli on a maxillary molar, the Wharton duct of the submandibular gland, or the Eustachian tube that gives the perception of a stuffed ear before landing are three structures named after individuals who first described them centuries ago. This is a long-overdue exploration of 60 names for 53 of the most relevant eponyms, many of whom have likely been forgotten.I.
This Special Issue on Dental Eponyms marks the culmination of an ambitious endeavor: to document and commemorate over 230 individuals whose names have become inseparably linked to the language, tools, structures, and conceptual frameworks of dentistry. Spanning eight major domains-basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology), oral medicine, oral surgery, orthodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics, restorative dentistry, and periodontics/microbiology-this collection reflects the true interdisciplinary breadth of the dental profession. From ancient figures such as Galen, Hippocrates, and Eustachius to modern pioneers like Jens Pindborg and Hugo Obwegeser, our coverage has sought to bridge continents and centuries, showcasing how contributions from around the globe-from the United States and United Kingdom to Hungary, Turkey, and beyond-have collectively shaped the art and science of dentistry.
The development of oral and maxillofacial surgery advanced rapidly following the introduction of general anesthesia in 1846, evolving from simple tooth extractions to complex procedures involving the jaws and facial skeleton. Initially driven by general surgeons in Europe and later refined by specialists in the U.S. and elsewhere, this progress is reflected in enduring surgical eponyms. This paper highlights 23 pioneers associated with 21 foundational eponyms-procedures, instruments, and classifications-that remain central to oral surgical practice. These eponyms honor the innovators whose work shaped the field and continue to connect modern surgery to its historical roots.
Barry Scheer was, in his time, a rare specimen in the UK; a private paediatric (pediatric in the USA) dentist. Most children were then treated under the National Health Service. He also rose to eminence as an academic, interested in treating a wide range of clinical issues, but especially leading a focus on traumatized teeth in an age when few mouth protectors were worn in the UK. Nevertheless, he found time for a very wide range of non-dental activities, some requiring much physical or mental stamina. He maintained contacts with many other dentists throughout the world, especially in the USA, often as co-members of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry.
What could a dentist do for his patients 229 years ago? Josiah Flagg II (1763-1816), one of the first native born American dentists, detailed his array of services in a 1796 advertising broadside (Figure 1). Note the crossed toothbrushes and dental instruments!
