Dentistry and its Specialties

Attempts at dentistry have been noted since the beginning of recorded human history. Most of these treatments consisted of any or all offending teeth. In colonial America, dentistry could be considered deplorable with Europeans of the same era having far superior dental conditions. Living conditions and other obligations made dental care hard for most.

DENTISTRY IN EARLY AMERICA

In early America, most dentistry was accomplished by travelers on horseback or wagon. Their arrival was advertised in advance in newspapers. These travelers had little to no training and their treatment was often brutal and painful.

There were three ways to perform dentistry:

1. Be medically trained and have an interest in dentistry.
2. Be an apprentice to a medically trained individual with an interest in dentistry.
3. simply declare yourself a dentist

THE BARBER SURGEON

A barber-surgeon was an individual capable of carrying out surgical operations such as bloodletting, cupping therapy, tooth extraction, and amputation. In addition to these medical procedures, barbers were skilled in bathing, hair cutting, shaving or trimming facial hair, and administering enemas.

THE LMHM DENTAL EXHIBIT

The museum dental exhibit was created in association with Dr. Lynn Dolan DDS and showcases different types of dental instruments throughout the ages. In this exhibit, you will learn what types of things were used to create dentures and false teeth, different types of tools used for different specialties, and even some household dental medications you might find in your own medicine cabinets. Dentistry and its Specialties is on display now at the Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum.

The Lancaster County Dental Society