Introduction to Dentistry

Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis and prevention and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, commonly in the dentition but also the oral mucosa and of adjacent and related structures and tissues, particularly in the maxillofacial (jaw and facial) area. Although primarily associated with the teeth among the general public, the field of dentistry or dental medicine is thus not limited to odontology (from the Ancient Greek 'Odous' means 'tooth') - the study of the structure, development and abnormalities of the teeth.
Because of their substantial overlap in concepts, dentistry is often understood to subsume the now largely defunct, medical specialty of stomatology (the study of mouth and its disorders and diseases) for which the two terms are used interchangeably in certain regions.
Dentistry is widely considered important for overall health. Dental treatment is carried out by the dental team, which often consists of a dentist and dental auxiliaries (Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists, Dental Technicians and Dental Therapists)
The history of dentistry is almost as ancient as the history of humanity and civilizations, with the earliest evidence dating back from 7000 BCE. Prehistoric dental surgical techniques are seen in Ancient Egypt, where a mandible dated to approximately 2650 BCE shows two perforations just below the root of the first molar, indicating the draining of an abscessed tooth. Remains from the early Harappan periods of the Indus valley civilization (3300 BCE) shows evidence of the teeth having been drilled dating back 9000 years. It is thought that the dental surgery was the first specialization from medicine.
Dr. John M Harris started the world's first Dental school in Brainbridge, Ohio and helped to establish dentistry as a health profession. It opened on Feb 21, 1828 and today is a dental museum. The first dental college Baltimore college of Dental surgery, opened in Baltimore Maryland U.S.A in 1840. The French surgeon Pierre Fauchard became known as the father of the modern dentistry.
Common treatments in dentistry involve the restoration of teeth, extraction or surgical removal of the teeth, scaling and root-planning and endo-dontic root canal treatment. The earliest dental filling, made of beeswax was discovered in Shoveria and dates 6500 years ago.
The two most common dental diseases are dental caries and Pyorrhea.
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