In this lesson, students learn about the history of dentistry by reading the Historical Overview on the History of Dentistry Web page, either online or in printed form. Then they complete the The History of Dentistry work sheet.
Work sheet answers appear in the Assessment section below.
Extend the Lesson
Students might put together a timeline of dental history. The History of Dentistry Web page offers individual pages that go into much greater detail about dentistry through the ages. You might arrange students into pairs or small groups and assign each group a different era in dental history:
Dentistry in Ancient Times
Greek Rationale Theories
Etruscan Practical Approach
Arabian Contribution
Decline in the Dark Ages
The Guilds
The Renaissance
The Nineteenth Century
Dentistry Becomes a Science
For students who work well independently, you might have them explore some of the additional sections of the History of Dentistry Web page:
Students correctly identify 12 of the 15 statements on the work sheet.
Answers: 1.T, 2.F, 3.T, 4.T, 5.F, 6.T, 7.T, 8.T, 9.T, 10.F, 11.T, 12.F, 13.T, 14.T, 15.F.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH: Health GRADES 5 - 8 NPH-H.5-8.1 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention NPH-H.5-8.2 Health Information, Products and Services GRADES 9 - 12 NPH-H.9-12.1 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention NPH-H.9-12.2 Health Information, Products and Services
SCIENCE GRADES 5 - 8 NS.5-8.7 History and Nature of Science GRADES 9 - 12 NS.9-12.7 History and Nature of Science
SOCIAL SCIENCES: World History GRADES 5 - 12 NSS-WH.5-12.1-8 All Eras
TECHNOLOGY GRADES K - 12 NT.K-12.1 Basic Operations and Concepts NT.K-12.5 Technology Research Tools
