University of Maryland School of Pharmacy - Terra Mariae Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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Early Dentistry in Baltimore PRIOR to the Nineteenth Century dentistry, as well as other callings, was recognized through individual men engaged in its pursuit. Its practice was characterized in individual effort, without reference to preliminary training or co-ordination of interest. Pre-professional edu- cational standards were unknown, nor were any legal restraints over those engaged in prac- tice observed. At the beginning of the Nineteenth Century this dissociation of interest was recognized as the greatest obstacles in the way of a more scientific progress. The man with the vision, as well as capacity for action, who proposed that these hindrances should be removed was Horace H. Hayden. Dr. Hayden was a native of Windsor, Conn. After an eventful early life, in which he was engaged as a seaman, a public school teacher and an architect, he decided to pursue dentistry as his vocation. He was encouraged in this decision through a strong friendship with Dr. John Greenwood, of New York City, the first native-born American dentist. Dr. Hayden procured and eagerly studied all the literature then published on subjects of dentistry, and, with that energy characteristic of all his undertakings, set himself to master the requirements necessary to the successful practice of his chosen calling. He carefully studied the .distribution of dentists in the leading cities of America, and finally decided that Baltimore offered him the greatest opportunity. He located in Baltimore about the year 1801, renting a small room on Fayette Street, near Charles, and announced his readiness to serve the people of the community. His rise was rapid and his success complete. It was he who first proposed education as the one safeguard to the permanency of the profession, recom- mended an organization of the members of the profession for mutual improvement and urged legal restraints in its practice for the protection of the public. His ideals and zealous endeavor in their accomplishment earned for him the title of The Father of the Dental Profession. Dr. Hayden ' s ideals were not so quickly realized. In fact, the sunset of life was upon him before his high hopes and aspirations were realized. Fate was kind in bringing t o his aid one well equipped by preparation and in qualifications of leadership to consummate the policies and plans for which the great Hayden labored. This new champion was none other than the universally known and honored, Chapin A. Harris. Dr. Harris was born in New York State, educated in Ohio, and had practiced dentistry in North Carolina and Virginia. He located in Baltimore in 1833, and immediately joined Dr. Hayden in his efforts to improve conditions in the profession. Coming at the time he did and with the vast experience and wisdom of Hayden to guide him, there is little wonder that he arose to heights that earned for him lasting recognition as dentistry ' s greatest bene- factor. The first license to practice dentistry ever issued was granted to Dr. Hayden. This certificate may now be seen in the library of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. It was issued by the Medical and Chirur gical Faculty of Maryland in 1910. The Medical and Chirurgical Faculty was chartered by the Maryland Legislature in 1798. The charter dele- gated to the Faculty the authority to regulate and control the practice of medicine through license by examination. The suggestion was made that practitioners of dentistry should be required to submit to examination to legalize their practice and it was urged that, as a specialty of medicine, the Faculty was authorized to offer such examinations. The question of authority having been raised. Attorney General Luther Martin ruled that the Faculty was within its rights in requiring such examinations. Dr. Hayden received the first license under the law. - 8{ 23 f