A Tribute to Black Dental Pioneers
Did you know that there are countless African-Americans who have contributed extensively to the dental field?
Black History Month was first celebrated at Kent State University. It was officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1976. There’s been a commemoration in February for all black Americans who’ve made valuable contributions to society ever since. You may have celebrated African-American accomplishments and culture by visiting museums and theaters, or by paying homage to black icons such as Dr Martin Luther King. But did you know that there are countless African-Americans who have contributed extensively to the dental field? Here’s a look at some of the black dental contributors who changed the history of dentistry with their achievements.
Commemorating William Thomas Jefferson During Black History Month
This black dental pioneer was born in 1864 in Washington DC. He commenced his studies in the dental field at the age of 22, and graduated in 1891. He joined the army where he excelled as a lieutenant. Not your ordinary soldier and highly dedicated, he still served his Cuban regiment after being hospitalized with Malaria. You’ll also be impressed to learn that he oversaw the dental health of the men while serving his country. If you’ve ever needed to commemorate a dental pioneer, this is one, as he continued serving the U.S military, and opened his own dental surgery concurrently. You’ll also find that he made several efforts via the U.S government to set up a regiment for black men at his dental practice.
A Black History Month Tribute to Ida Nelson Rollins
If you’ve never heard of Ida Nelson Rollins, Black History Month would be the ideal time to get to know who she was. The first female black dentist in the US, she was born in 1867 in Tennessee, and earned her doctoral dentistry degree in 1890. She was first introduced into the dental field in 1860, where she worked as an assistant for a dentist named Jonathan Taft. Not your ordinary dentist, he had a knack for supporting females in the field, and he encouraged her to further her career. You’ll discover she was also the first black woman in the US to open a dental practice in Cincinnati. If you like black stalwarts keen on equality, you’ll be impressed to learn that Ida served patients across the race, gender, and age spectrum. She was also the first black female to start her own dental office in Chicago.
A Black History Month Attribution to Robert T. Freeman
If you love incredible Black History Month accounts on how black people rose from slavery to success, this man will surely impress you. Black History Month sees lots of celebration of freedom stalwarts, so commemorating this dental pioneer is ideal, as he was the son of a slave. Born in 1846, he started working for a dentist as an ordinary employee, before working his way up to the role of dental assistant. His acceptance into Harvard at the age of 22 was groundbreaking for colored students. He was the first black to graduate with a Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the university’s dental school.
Commemorating Black History Month With George F. Grant
Celebrating dental pioneers during Black History Month would not be complete without you commemorating this man. Like Robert Freeman, he was also born to slave parents in 1846. He commenced his career in the dental field at the age of 15, doing deliveries for a dentist. He climbed the ranks rapidly, and assisted the resident dentist, before pursuing dental studies at Harvard Dental School. You’ll be impressed to learn he was the first black dentist to teach at Harvard, and that he made several contributions to cleft palate procedures.
