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Beginning of the Dental Hygiene Profession
In 1907, Dr. Fones (a dentist in Bridgeport, Connecticut) distinguished the importance of overall oral health in the prevention of caries by reducing the overall bacteria in the mouth. It was not until 1913 that Dr. Fones established the first dental hygiene program sparking the formation and rise of the dental hygiene profession. During those times the term "dental nurses" were used. They were originally employed in a school-based setting to educate children on the importance of oral care. -
The First Licensed Dental Hygienist
Irene Newman became the first licensed dental hygienist in 1917. Within the next few years the trend of licensing dental hygienists spread to six other states. -
ADHA and the Expansion of the Dental Hygiene Profession
In 1923 the American Dental Hygiene Association was established. The dental hygiene profession continued to grow, and by 1952 all fifty states had licensed dental hygienists. -
Development of Gracey Curettes
Dr. Clayton Gracey developed the instruments, Gracey curettes, which are still popular instruments used in dentistry today. -
Introduction of the Ultrasonic Scaler and Dental Chairs
In the 1950s dental chairs were manufactured to fully recline, making dental work more comfortable for the clinician and patient. The first ultrasonic scaler was also invented. The ultrasonic scaler is used on patients with heavy calculus build up, stain, and or deep pocketing. Both of these inventions are still used daily in dentistry. -
The Civil Rights Act and the Influence on the Dental Hygiene Field
Once the Civil Rights Act was established in the 1950s-1960s, it brought positive influences to the field of dental hygiene. The ADHA lifted admission restrictions like race, color, and creed. The word, "female" has deleted from the ADHA constitution in 1964. This led to the Jack Orio being the first male dental hygiene graduate in 1965. -
The First Regional Board Examination
As the profession of dental hygiene continued to rise, the ADHA adopted the title "Registered Dental Hygienist" in 1940. As the profession continued to grow, so did the job requirements. The first regional board examination given in 1968. This paved the way for stricter requirements within the field of dental hygiene. Today, dental hygienists in addition to completing an accredited program they must now pass a clinical and written national board examination. -
The Creation of the First Clinical Dental Hygiene Book
In 1981 the 1st Edition of the Clinical Practice of The Dental Hygienist was published by Dr. Esther Wilkins and is also known as the "Dental Hygiene Bible". Dr. Esther Wilkins is still known today as the face of Dental Hygiene, as she paved the way for present and future hygienists to flourish clinically. This "Dental Hygiene Bible" is still the main textbooks of dental hygienists today. -
OSHA Standards
Personal protective equipment was not mandated until 1988, even though OSHA was established in 1971. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standards also were not effective to clinical dental professionals until 1991. -
Local Anesthesia Administration and Unsupervised Practice of Dental Hygiene
In the 1980s, some states started to implement that dental hygiene could be performed in unsupervised settings. Over the next few decades, the number of states that would allow unsupervised dental hygiene procedures increased. In the 1990s, fourteen states elected to allow RDHs to administer local anesthesia to patients. Over half of the fifty states allowed local anesthesia by an RDH by the year 2000. The number of states allowing this today still continues to increase.
