History of dental hygienist

• In the late 1800s dental disease prevention methods became popular amongst dentists and dental nurses, with dentists being trained to perform routine prophylaxis treatment in the fight against dental disease. During this period D. D. Smith of Philadelphia demonstrated the prophylactic methods to his colleagues and patients and the acceptance of his theories become increasingly popular.
• In 1898 Smith presented a lecture on his system of periodic oral prophylaxis, which required patients to attend regular visits for prophylactic treatment and education sessions around oral home care.
• In 1906 one of his followers Alfred C. Fones took a great interest into Smith's theories and began to train his cousin, Irene Newman, to act as an apprentice, scaling and polishing teeth as well as giving instructions on how to keep their mouths clean with daily home care practices. She was then to become the first recognized dental hygienist.
• In 1910 the Ohio College of Dental Surgery offered a formal course for dental nurses. However, dentists in Ohio strongly opposed the formal training school, and those who completed the coursework were never allowed to practice. The course was soon to be discontinued in 1914 due to the backlash from the dental community.
• In 1913 the term dental hygienist was devised and Alfred Fones began the first school for dental hygienists in Connecticut
• 1914 the first legal dental hygienists graduated from Dr. Fones’ dental hygiene program and legally allowed to provide patients with prophylaxis treatment.
• In 1915 Connecticut amended the dental practice act to include the regulation of dental hygienists and other states followed amending dental hygiene regulations outlining the scope of practice of a dental hygienist.
• 1923 the first meeting of the American Dental Hygienist Association took place
• 1939 There were 8,000 dental hygienists in the USA
• 1950 Dental hygienists were recognized in Canada and the University of Toronto established the first dental hygiene program in the country.
• 1965 The first male Jack Orio graduated from The University of New Mexico
• 1965 over 15,400 dental hygienists were working in America
• 1974 Dental hygienists were employed by the government of New Zealand to treat members of the New Zealand army.
• 1975 Dental hygiene profession was introduced in Australia.
• 1980 There were 204 dental hygiene programs across America
• 1988 The Journal of Dental Hygiene celebrates 75 years of commitment to care
• 1994 dental hygienists in New Zealand to work publicly and privately.
• 1998 Bachelor of Oral Health dual degree in Queensland, Australia combines training for dental hygienists and dental therapists, creating a new profession of oral health therapists.
• 2006 Auckland University of Technology Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health):3years (dual-degree in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy)