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Prevention
In the early 1900s, dentists noticed that people with tooth decay, abscesses and other mouth diseases had poorer overall health than those with healthy mouths. Even young children suffered from poor teeth.
Dentists started preventive clinics in a few public schools to see if regular dental care could fix this problem. The dramatic increase in both dental and general health spurred schools around the country to follow their lead.
At the same time, dental hygiene programs trained thousands of women who used their new skills in schools and dental offices.
The result: Better personal hygiene combined with regular dentist visits significantly reduced tooth decay everywhere these programs were
The First Dental Hygiene Program
Connecticut dentist Alfred C. Fones was convinced that trained hygienists could help solve the “universal problem of decayed teeth and unsanitary mouths.” He established a rigorous training program in his garage and graduated the first class of 34 women hygienists in 1914. He then staffed dental clinics in Bridgeport elementary schools with these hygienists.
Courtesy of Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan
The Experiment Is a Success!
In 1909, students at Marion School in a poor section of Cleveland were promised a $5 gold piece if they completed a 14-month experiment. Students were taught how to properly chew their food and brush their teeth. Student’s teeth were cleaned and repaired at a dental clinic in the school. Tests given before and after showed a 30 to 100 percent improvement in school performance and also in general health, appearance and behavior.
Courtesy of Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan
Spectacular Results
Hygienists set up portable dental stations in school corridors and stairwells. They believed that by teaching children correct habits and providing them with regular cleanings throughout the year, future decay could largely be prevented. The program achieved spectacular results, reducing cavities by 75 percent after only one year!
Part of the program included instruction and practice in tooth brushing during class. Toothbrushes were provided as part of the program.
Images Courtesy of Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan
A Leader in Dental and PublicHealth
In 1921, U-M’s College of Dentistry began the Dental Hygiene program. Dorothy Hard, a U-M trained dentist, directed the program until 1968. During her 44-year tenure, Dr. Hard graduated 1,600 students and established the four-year Bachelor of Science degree in 1948. In-state tuition in 1928 was $123 per year plus $580 room and board!
Spreading the Word
Eager children took their new skills home to their families. Home visits by hygienists reinforced the message. Some schools formed dental clubs, such as this one in Newark, New Jersey, where students, parents and hygienists met regularly.
Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine
Office Efficiency
C. Edmund Kells, a New Orleans dentist, eagerly adopted new ideas. He first used an assistant in the 1890s. By 1925, his preferred “working unit” included one hygienist to assist with the patient, one to prepare fillings and an assistant to take notes and handle finances.
Courtesy of Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan
Old Idea—Better Product
Toothbrushes in some form have been used for thousands of years. The “modern” brush was invented by William Addis while in an English prison. He glued tufts of bristles into holes in a bone handle. This toothbrush was made in New York City in the 1920s by the Autograf Tooth Brush Company.
Loaned by Ronald Berris, DDS
Clean Teeth, Fresh Breath
Toothbrushes, pastes and powders became readily available in the 1800s. Colgate began producing toothpaste in a collapsible tube in 1896. Once people learned the tooth brushing habit, they could choose from a wide selection of products.
Courtesy of Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan