Dentistry, one of the oldest medical professions in human civilization, dating all the way back to 5000 B.C., was modernized during the 1700s. During this period, Black Americans had an incredibly hard time accessing dental care, and receiving that care from dentists with the same skin color as them was even harder.
Honoring the contributions of Black people to dentistry is something that must be done constantly. Without their knowledge and bravery, dental advances and care would not look the same. In the 1800s, Robert Tanner Freeman and George F. Grant, both sons of former slaves, and Ida Gray Nelson Rollins, a former seamstress, made groundbreaking strides in dental care that opened up opportunities for other Black Americans.
Dr. Freeman, of Washington, D.C., developed an interest in dentistry after working for mentor Dr. Henry Bliss Noble. Despite being turned away by two dental schools because of his skin color, Freeman chose to attend Harvard University’s School of Dentistry as one of its first students. He earned his degree in 1869 and became the nation’s first African American dental professional. After graduating, Robert established his own clinic in his hometown of Washington, D.C., practicing until his death four years later in 1873.
Similar to Dr. Freeman, Dr. Grant also graduated from Harvard University’s dental school in 1870, eventually becoming not only the first African American professor at Harvard, but also working in its department of mechanical dentistry, making various advances to treat cleft palate. In addition to dentistry and teaching, Dr. Grant also invented the wooden golf tee.
In 1890, Dr. Nelson Rollins attained the distinction of being the first African American female dentist. Before this, she had been a seamstress. Three years of learning with Dr. Jonathan Taft prepped her for entrance exams in 1887 at the University of Michigan School Of Dentistry, from which she ultimately graduated in 1890. Following that, she moved to Cincinnati to open the first dental practice owned by an African American woman there. Four years later, following her marriage to James Sanford Nelson, Ida relocated to Chicago and established a dental practice as the earliest African American woman dentist there too.
Since Drs. Freeman, Grant, and Rollins’ first steps into the oral medical field, African Americans have not just taken up their radiant flame but also grown their range of influence into other domains. Among these leaders is Dr. Robert F. Boyd, who became the inaugural president of the National Medical Association, and Dr. C.O. Simpkins, a dentist, civil rights crusader, political figure and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Additionally, there’s Dr. George Simkins Jr., dentistry expert and defender of human rights; Dr. Annie Elizabeth Delany, who became the second African American woman to receive licensure as a dentist in New York; and Dr. Robert Lee, who migrated from the States to Ghana to become an accomplished official as well as honorary envoy for African Americans journeying to Ghana.
Throughout the evolution of dentistry, Black Americans have driven change and advocated for equality in the field.
One of the most notable African American orthodontists is Dr. David Satcher, who graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville in 1966. After completing his residency at Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center in Bronx, New York, he moved back to Tennessee and opened his own orthodontic practice. It was during this time that he made a name for himself as a leader in the orthodontic profession.
In addition to his practice, Dr. Satcher also served as president of the American Association of Orthodontists from 1999 to 2000 and was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2002 for his contributions to the field. He is also a member of the National Dental Association and has written numerous articles related to orthodontics and its impact on the African American community.
Currently, there are a number of African American orthodontists who continue to make strides in the field. From Dr. Eddie Lott, who is a board-certified orthodontist and former president of the National Dental Association, to Dr. Marita Inglehart, an associate professor at the University of Tennessee and one of the few African American women orthodontists, these professionals are a testament to the commitment and dedication of African Americans in dentistry.
Black history in dentistry is a long and inspiring story of progress and innovation. From the early days of Drs. Freeman, Grant and Rollins to the current generations of Black orthodontists, this is a legacy that should be celebrated and remembered for its benefits to all.