Back in 1968, during the heyday of Second Wave Feminism, just over one percent of dental school graduates were female. Now, women make up about half of the new dentists and dental specialists that enter the world each semester. The reason for this dramatic increase is due to the efforts of many, many people over a long period of time, but these four pioneer women of dentistry were some of the first to break the gender barrier for dentistry.
Lucy Beaman Hobbs Taylor
Because of gender norms at the time (the mid-1800s), Taylor had to forge her own path to becoming a dentist. In fact, she pretty much had to do everything backward compared to how dentists are trained today! She was initially denied entry into the Ohio College of Dentistry because of her gender, but rather than being discouraged, she found a mentor and eventually became so proficient that she was able to open her own practice in Iowa. Only then was she permitted to enroll in dental school, and she graduated in 1866.
Ida Gray Nelson
Nelson had not one, but two large societal obstacles to overcome in her journey to becoming a dentist—she was both a woman and black at a time when society was greatly prejudiced against both groups (late 1800s). She gained an interest in dentistry while working under Dr. John Taft, who himself eventually became the first dean of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. After earning her dental degree from the University of Michigan, she opened her own practice, becoming the first African American in the country to do so.
Grace Rogers Spalding & Gillette Hayden
The reason these two women are paired together is because they helped form the American Academy of Periodontology in 1913, where Spalding served as the first president. Their work helped show that the condition of the gums, not just the teeth, is extremely important when it comes to oral health. The organization they started is still going strong today, and the Journal of Periodontology continues to publish new research that informs and guides the dental world.
In truth, women have always been a big part of dentistry, and even now, the overwhelming majority of oral healthcare professionals are women when you count hygienists and assistants in addition to dentists. Professional dentistry as a whole is much healthier when more people are able to enter it and apply their skills, and the women listed above helped open the gates for many others so they can continue to push the field forward.
About the Author
Dr. Krysten Jackson is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, and she continues to build upon these women’s legacies through her dedication to providing the highest quality care possible while working hard to keep up with the latest techniques and technology. She along with the rest of the women on our team look forward to giving you and your loved ones the smiles you deserve, and you can schedule an appointment by clicking here.