Faculty Bibliography

This paper explores twenty dental eponyms related to periodontal disease and oral microbiology, highlighting key pathogens such as the Koch bacillus (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), Actinomyces israelii, Treponema vincentii, Prevotella intermedia, and Veillonella parvula. It also examines seminal contributions to infection control and diagnostics, including Listerine, pasteurization, and histological stains such as the Gram and Giemsa stains. These eponyms commemorate the pioneering work of scientists like Koch, Pasteur, and Löffler, who made foundational discoveries under challenging conditions with limited laboratory resources. By revisiting their achievements, this paper underscores the importance of preserving historical memory in dental education and practice, ensuring that new generations appreciate the origins and enduring impact of these milestones in microbiology and periodontology.

Do you ever wonder who is behind the names, diseases, structures, procedures, or syndromes often taught in dental or medical school? For instance, the Cusp of Carabelli on a maxillary molar, the Wharton duct of the submandibular gland, or the Eustachian tube that gives the perception of a stuffed ear before landing are three structures named after individuals who first described them centuries ago. This is a long-overdue exploration of 60 names for 53 of the most relevant eponyms, many of whom have likely been forgotten.^I.

Dentistry has witnessed a steady expansion of technological advancements and innovations throughout its history. Today, over 250 names are associated with oral and dental eponyms. In this paper, we highlight 21 eponyms and 24 names that are specific to the field of orthodontics. Each entry briefly presents the individual's name, educational background, notable contribution, and primary references to the original descriptions. This study aims to commemorate these pioneers-many of whom have been forgotten decades or even centuries after their significant contributions to the field.

This article, the second in a series of eight, highlights the lives and original works of 21 scientists whose names are preserved in 20 enduring eponyms still found in dental anatomy and histology textbooks. Though frequently referenced in education, the historical context and the original publications behind these terms are often overlooked. By revisiting their biographies and citing the original sources where each eponym was first described, this work offers a long-overdue acknowledgment of their lasting contributions to dental science.

The development of oral and maxillofacial surgery advanced rapidly following the introduction of general anesthesia in 1846, evolving from simple tooth extractions to complex procedures involving the jaws and facial skeleton. Initially driven by general surgeons in Europe and later refined by specialists in the U.S. and elsewhere, this progress is reflected in enduring surgical eponyms. This paper highlights 23 pioneers associated with 21 foundational eponyms-procedures, instruments, and classifications-that remain central to oral surgical practice. These eponyms honor the innovators whose work shaped the field and continue to connect modern surgery to its historical roots.

This article highlights the significance of 20 dental eponyms in prosthodontics, emphasizing the enduring legacy of the individuals behind them. Each name represents a pivotal advancement and a foundational contribution to the history of dentistry and prosthodontics in particular. Understanding their lives and innovations fosters a deeper appreciation of today's clinical practice, which are built on past discoveries. As current technologies become tomorrow's historical artifacts, recognizing the evolution of the field helps contextualize modern dentistry and anticipate future directions. Honoring these pioneers is essential to preserving the continuity of knowledge and valuing the individual efforts that have shaped the profession.

This paper explores the historical evolution of dentistry through the lens of eponyms, focusing particularly on endodontics. From the era of extractions to the introduction of restorations by Pierre Fauchard and the development of prosthodontics and root preservation in the 19th century, dentistry has advanced in parallel with scientific breakthroughs in microbiology and technology. These innovations enabled the understanding and treatment of pulpal disease and the creation of effective root canal techniques. We highlight 31 key eponyms-32 individuals whose contributions to instruments, methods, materials, or classifications shaped modern endodontics and whose legacies remain embedded in practice.

This article, the seventh in an eight-part special issue on dental eponyms, focuses on 18 key eponyms in restorative dentistry contributed by 19 innovative dentists, scientists, and engineers. Eponyms serve as historical reminders of the legacy of individuals whose innovations have shaped clinical practice. In this paper, we explore contributions ranging from the Toffelmire matrix systems to Hollanbeck carvers and Morrison adjustable chairs. This paper underscores the importance of remembering the foundational figures in dentistry. In doing so, it reinforces the value of historical continuity and honors the lasting impact of those who advanced the field of restorative care.

What could a dentist do for his patients 229 years ago? Josiah Flagg II (1763-1816), one of the first native born American dentists, detailed his array of services in a 1796 advertising broadside (Figure 1). Note the crossed toothbrushes and dental instruments!

In the late 19th century, Dr. George Augustus Scott (1842-1890), an Anglo-American businessman without formal medical training, capitalized on the public's fascination with electricity by marketing a range of so-called "electric" personal care devices, claiming they could cure ailments such as baldness and toothaches. Although Scott's products, including electric toothbrushes and hairbrushes, were not truly electric, they relied on the era's belief in electricity and magnetism as healing forces. His most intriguing invention, an example described in this paper, "Dr. Scott's Electric Tooth Charmer," was a magnetized teething toy for babies. Dr. Scott's relentless advertising and global reach made him successful, though his devices were eventually exposed as fraudulent. As interest in static magnetism waned, Scott's products fell out of favor.