It’s easy to forget how different things were in the past. You may know they were, but the how can still surprise you! There are countless things you can take a deep dive into, but one that may fascinate you is how pediatric dentistry came to be. Before, you might not have been able to take your child to a specialist who knows all about growing smiles. Here’s just a peek into the history of this part of the field.
Start of Pediatric Dentistry
The start of dental care in general has been around since 5,000 BC. Despite having this beginning so far in the past, children and adults were grouped together. A line dividing them didn’t start to form until years in the future, in the 1900s.
The first oral hygiene school was called the Fones Clinic For Dental Hygienists. It opened in 1913 in Connecticut, and the program sent women to clean the teeth of school children. This marked the rise of pediatric dentistry, but while this was happening, Minnie Evangeline Jordon decided to open the first practice that treated only kids. She did this because she was researching how sugars and foods can affect children’s oral health, and she wanted to do something about it!
Rise of a Specialty
Several decades later, in the 1940s, the American Dental Association (ADA) recognized pediatric dentistry as a new specialty. This led to an even greater rise in kids’ dental hygiene, with about 50% of them going to the dentist once a year! A decade later, The Pediatric Dentistry Training Program was founded by a federal agency, which helped oral healthcare professionals become better able to treat children and kids with special needs.
Modern Times of Treating Tiny Teeth
In the late 1990s, the ADA began to push for parents to bring their little one to the dentist by their first birthday or about six months after their first tooth erupted. The Secretary of Health and Human Services then also began to give out national reports that showed the importance of how the health of the mouth correlates with overall health.
Nowadays, there have been many more advancements in techniques and treatments. Many services are designed to help your child avoid developing any dental problems, like cavities. Not only that, but lawmakers have also since required insurance companies to cover (oftentimes completely) the cost of dental visits at least once per year.
This benefit trickled down to kids, allowing families to afford this preventive care. Today, about 86% of children go to the dentist once a year. That way, growing smiles stay the best they can and develop habits that keep their grin strong from now on and into adulthood.
About the Practice
At Upper Dublin Pediatric Dentistry, your child benefits from the expert leadership of Dr. Natalie Gardner and Dr. Kayleigh Denner. With a board-certified pediatric dentist on our team, we are well-equipped to help kids in the Fort Washington community with their oral healthcare. By having routine checkups and cleanings, we can prevent a wide range of dental problems in your loved one, keeping their smile problem-free and happy. If it’s time for your child’s next semi-annual visit, schedule an appointment or call our office at (267) 481-7707.