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As we turn the century and enter the year 2000, the
number of advances that have taken place in dentistry for infants,
children, and teens has been enormous. The majority of Americans take
for granted the high quality of dental health care we are exposed to
in our daily lives.
Modern infection control methods, state-of-the-art
equipment and materials, and sophisticated diagnostic techniques have
put us on the threshold of a millennium in which generations of people
may no longer remember what a cavity was! But it wasn't always this
exciting.
As early as 3500 B.C., some Egyptian medical texts
described gingivitis, toothaches, and other oral diseases. There have
been ancient Egyptian skulls found that reveal evidence of early
dental treatment to drain jaw infections and to stabilize teeth with
gold wires.
It wasn't until the year 1728 that the first accurate
book on dental art and practice was published. Dr. Pierre Fauchard,
who is regarded as "the Father of Dentistry", wrote it in
French. His book offered information to physicians, itinerants, and
tooth-drawers about the diagnosis and treatment of dental and oral
diseases.
Right up through the early 19th century, traveling
craftspeople provided much of the dentistry offered to the general
public. Silversmiths, metalworkers, ivory turners, entertainers,
barbers, and artisans, in addition to dentists and physicians, all
offered a variety of dental services.
Not until the advent of dental colleges, combined with
the technological advances of the late 19th century, did dental
practice begin to make the great strides that have brought dental care
from a repair-centered orientation treating toothaches and cavities to
a profession focused on the prevention of oral disease and the
preservation of teeth and gums.
The work of American dentists Chapin Harris, G.V.
Black, and Horace Wells significantly advanced the practice of
dentistry. Discoveries by outstanding European scientists like Louis
Pasteur and Robert Koch contributed to the improvement of dental
practice, even though the biologic causes of caries and gum diseases
were not completely understood.
The application of x-rays for dental diagnosis and the
introduction of laughing gas anesthesia were two key ingredients that
have been dental staples through recent years.
From these humble beginnings has come a continual
pattern of improvements that enable modern dental care to be
comfortable, prevention-based, and cosmetically focused. Children
today can expect a lifetime of excellent oral health and a positive,
if not enthusiastic, attitude toward dental care. It's a whole new
experience.
Dr. Eric Lebowitz is a pediatric dentist specializing
in care for infants, children, and teens. He is in private practice in
Kendall at Tooth Fairy-Land, located near Baptist Hospital. Questions
about this topic can be directed to Dr. Lebowitz at (305) 279-4312.
Dr. Lebowitz has been a resident of Pinecrest for over 20 years.
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