The growth of women in dentistry has been a journey of persistence, resilience, and one of great achievement. This journey began in the 19th century when Emeline Robert Jones became the first ever female practising dentist. This was a time when the thought of a female dentist was just a hope; regarded as impossible by those in the workforce. In 1866, Lucy Hobbs Taylor also made history despite her extremely difficult childhood; becoming the first woman in the world to get a degree in dentistry.
These two historical figures have paved the way for women in dentistry and with their outstanding achievements, it inspired more women to pursue a career in this field. During the 20th century, an increasing number of women enrolled into dental schools across the world, breaking the gender norms. As the years unfolded, women were cementing their ground in dentistry and making strides in dental history.
Image courtesy of Ohio State University
A notable female dentist of this century was Gillette Hayden, the third woman to graduate from Ohio Medical University, opening her own practice, travelling across Europe to introduce periodontal disease and founding the American Academy of Periodontology. Dr. Hayden also served as president of the Federal of American Women Dentists in 1923 and as the secretary of Periodontics of the International Dental Congress in 1925.
In the past few decades, dentistry has changed drastically. According to the ADA, in 1981, women made up 7% of dental school graduates. 36 years later this number increased to 49%, with 60% of practicing dentists under the age of forty four being women. In just 2023, 37.7% of all dentists in the US were recorded to be women. With each year passing, more and more female dentists are emerging, and this number is predicted to continue to rise.
As we look to the future it becomes apparent that dentistry could very well become a female dominated field!
Image courtesy of AAWD
Works Cited
Rangel Dental. (2023, March 2). 3 Incredible women in dental history. https://www.rangeldental.com/3-incredible-women-in-dental-history/
rodgers.102@osu.edu. (2014, May 6). Gillette Hayden | Historical Reflections: The Medical Heritage Center blog. https://library.osu.edu/site/mhcb/2014/05/06/gillette-hayden/
The Dental Express. (2024, March 7). Women in Dentistry: A Story of Courage & Commitment. Dental Express. https://www.thedentalexpress.com/dental-blog/women-in-dentistry-a-story-of-courage-commitment/
The Future is Female: Women in Dentistry. (2022, March 21). https://www.lendrgroupconsulting.com/content-library/the-future-is-female-women-in-dentistry
Dentist in Fuquay-Varina, NC | General Dentistry | Family Dentistry. (n.d.). Langworthy Family Dentistry. https://www.langworthyfamilydentistry.com/
About the author:
Hi! My name is Haylee and I’m a high school student in New Zealand. I’m passionate about science and health care, specifically in the field of dentistry as I not only love the medical side of it, but also the artistic and technical side. 🙂
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