Street dentistry
Encyclopedia
Street dentistry is the unlicensed practice of dentistry in the street, usually for people who are unable to afford licensed dental care.
Before the 20th century, dentistry was largely unregulated. In Europe
during the Middle Ages
, it was often practiced by monks, who were the most educated of the period. Barbers and blacksmiths, too, performed dental services. One of the first attempts to regulate the practice of dentistry came in France in 1400, when royal decrees prohibited barbers not in the Guild of Barbers from performing surgical procedures except for bleeding, cupping, leeching, and extracting teeth.
In the United States in 1840, Horace Hayden and Chapin Harris established the world's first school of dentistry, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery
, and created the Doctor of Dental Surgery
(DDS) degree. In the same year, the world’s first national dental organization, the American Society of Dental Surgeons
, was founded. In 1841, Alabama instituted the first dental practice act, regulating the practice of dentistry in the United States.
In New York around the turn of the century, street dentists like Edgar R.R. "Painless" Parker
flourished. Despite dentistry becoming regulated, unlicensed dentists still practiced, often offering inferior services, prompting some to call for their prosecution.
As many as 5000 unlicensed dentists may have practiced in New York in the early 1900s. In 1900, 283 complaints were received by the Law Committee of the New York State Dental Society. Some patients died from infections and abcesses resulting from lack of sanitation. Others died from improper administration of anaesthetic. According to a newspaper report in 1910, many of these dentists were immigrants whose home countries did not regulate dentistry as stringently as did the United States.
In India
, street services are plentiful, with dentists operating alongside other street services, such as apothecaries, repairmen, and barbers. These practitioners charge far less than licensed dentists, often charging as little as little as 125 rupees for a procedure such as a bridge
—which, at a licensed dentist, could be as expensive as 10,000 rupees. Many learn the trade from their parents.
Street dentistry is not confined to India. In Paris in 2003, 23 unlicensed dentists who practiced out of cafes and grocery stores were arrested. The dentists involved were Syrian
immigrants who provided dental services mostly for other immigrants who did not have health insurance
.
In 1998, a man was arrested in Van Nuys, California for operating an unlicensed dental practice out of the back of a toy store in a strip mall.
).
History
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, it was often practiced by monks, who were the most educated of the period. Barbers and blacksmiths, too, performed dental services. One of the first attempts to regulate the practice of dentistry came in France in 1400, when royal decrees prohibited barbers not in the Guild of Barbers from performing surgical procedures except for bleeding, cupping, leeching, and extracting teeth.
In the United States in 1840, Horace Hayden and Chapin Harris established the world's first school of dentistry, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery
Baltimore College of Dental Surgery
The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, , is the birthplace of the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree , and is known as the first dental college in the world.- History :...
, and created the Doctor of Dental Surgery
Doctor of Dental Surgery
There are a number of first professional degrees in dentistry offered by schools in various countries around the world. These include the following:* Doctor of Dental Surgery * Doctor of Dental Medicine * Bachelor of Dentistry...
(DDS) degree. In the same year, the world’s first national dental organization, the American Society of Dental Surgeons
American Society of Dental Surgeons
The American Society of Dental Surgeons was the first national dental organization formed in the United States of America. The formation of the ASDS was preceded by the formation of the Society of Dental Surgeons of the City and State of New York when fifteen dentists came together in New York...
, was founded. In 1841, Alabama instituted the first dental practice act, regulating the practice of dentistry in the United States.
In New York around the turn of the century, street dentists like Edgar R.R. "Painless" Parker
Painless Parker
Edgar R.R. "Painless" Parker was a flamboyant street dentist and huckster. He attended Philadelphia Dental College which would become Temple University dental school, and began his practice as a street dentist in New York City. He went on to manage a combination traveling circus/dental clinic,...
flourished. Despite dentistry becoming regulated, unlicensed dentists still practiced, often offering inferior services, prompting some to call for their prosecution.
As many as 5000 unlicensed dentists may have practiced in New York in the early 1900s. In 1900, 283 complaints were received by the Law Committee of the New York State Dental Society. Some patients died from infections and abcesses resulting from lack of sanitation. Others died from improper administration of anaesthetic. According to a newspaper report in 1910, many of these dentists were immigrants whose home countries did not regulate dentistry as stringently as did the United States.
Modern street dentistry
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, street services are plentiful, with dentists operating alongside other street services, such as apothecaries, repairmen, and barbers. These practitioners charge far less than licensed dentists, often charging as little as little as 125 rupees for a procedure such as a bridge
Bridge (dentistry)
A bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, is a dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth by joining permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants....
—which, at a licensed dentist, could be as expensive as 10,000 rupees. Many learn the trade from their parents.
Street dentistry is not confined to India. In Paris in 2003, 23 unlicensed dentists who practiced out of cafes and grocery stores were arrested. The dentists involved were Syrian
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
immigrants who provided dental services mostly for other immigrants who did not have health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
.
In 1998, a man was arrested in Van Nuys, California for operating an unlicensed dental practice out of the back of a toy store in a strip mall.
Legal issues
In India, Chapter V, Section 49 of the Dentist Act of 1948 requires dentists, dental mechanics, and dental hygienists to be licensed, making street dentistry illegal, though street dentists continue to practice. Most countries in the developed world have laws preventing the unlicensed practice of dentistry (see Dentistry throughout the worldDentistry throughout the world
Dentistry throughout the world is practiced differently, and training in dentistry varies as well.-Dentistry in Australia:Australian dentistry is overseen by the Australian Dental Council and the Dental Board of Australia while specialization is overseen by the Royal Australasian College of Dental...
).