The History of Clinical Dentistry and Its Impact on Medical Health

Dentistry is one of the oldest medical professions, dating back to 7000 B.C. with the Indus Valley https://www.smmcpsychologytraining.com/ Civilization. However, it wasn’t until 5000 B.C. that descriptions related to dentistry and tooth decay were available. At the time, a Sumerian text described tooth worms as causing dental decay, an idea that wasn’t proven false until the 1700s!

In ancient Greece, Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry, specifically about treating decaying teeth, but it wasn’t until 1530 that the first book entirely devoted to dentistry—The Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth—was published.

By the 1700s, dentistry had become a more defined profession. In 1723, Pierre Fauchard, a French surgeon credited as the Father of Modern Dentistry, published his influential book, The Surgeon Dentist, a Treatise on Teeth, which for the first time defined a comprehensive system for caring for and treating teeth. Additionally, Fauchard first introduced the idea of dental fillings and the use of dental prosthesis, and he identified that acids from sugar led to tooth decay.

In 1840, the first dental college (Baltimore College of Dental Surgery) opened, establishing the need for more oversight. In the United States, Alabama led the way by enacting the first dental practice act in 1841, and nearly 20 years later, the American Dental Association (ADA) was formed. The first university-affiliated dental institution, the Harvard University Dental School, was founded in 1867.

By 1873, Colgate had mass produced the first toothpaste, and mass-produced toothbrushes followed a few years later.

The importance of clinical dentistry in medical health cannot be overstated. A complete and accurate medical and dental health history is essential for each new or active patient of record before any diagnosis or treatment takes place. This history provides valuable information that dentists need to fulfill their professional obligations.

The health history form is the starting point for the practice’s relationship with the patient. It’s valuable because it provides appropriate staff members with information that they need in order to fulfill their professional obligations. The form should include:

• Certain drugs may impact post-operative care instructions
• The reason(s) the patient is seeking dental care
• Space to record additional information acquired during the dentist’s conversation with the patient

Sample health history forms are available through the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Department of Product Development and Sales and can be ordered online. The document is available in both English and Spanish; different forms are available for children and adults.

Once the medical/dental health history form is completed, the dentist should:

• Carefully review the health history form before greeting the patient
• Discuss the contents of the form with the patient before initiating any examination, diagnosis or treatment
• Be prepared to answer any questions the patient may have regarding the form
• Both the dentist and patient should sign or e-sign the form once the review and conversation are over.

In conclusion, the history of clinical dentistry is a rich and fascinating one, with significant contributions from ancient civilizations to modern-day pioneers. The importance of clinical dentistry in medical health cannot be overstated, and a complete and accurate medical and dental health history is essential for providing quality care to patients.