A Brief History of Dentistry and Oral Health, Part 1
Stuff You Missed in History Class
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The History of Dentistry
Papyrus is one of the oldest of the medical papyri we know of. Dated to the sixteenth century b c. E, this papyrus got its name from egyptologist george ebers. It's filled with information about how egyptians treated various diseases and conditions. A preventative care in the form of a daily oral hygiene ritual was already well established.
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This first episode covers the earliest ways humans cared for their teeth, including the belief that demons might have something to do with tooth decay. We move all the way up to the 18th century, as dentistry became a profession in the U.S., including a surprising early practitioner.
Research:
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