Dentistry's emergence as a distinct profession started in the 1700s and slowly evolved throughout the 1800s. Before this period, dental care was handled by barbers, blacksmiths, and other artisans who had the tools to pull a tooth or perform basic surgical tasks.

Important advancements in dentistry during this period included: vulcanized rubber for dentures, the development of the foot-treadle drill, and the mass manufacture of specialized furniture. The number of dental schools in America grew from just five in 1860, to thirty-five by 1890, including the formation of the University of Michigan’s School of Dentistry in 1875. Learn about artifacts on display below…