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Irene Newman: The World's First Dental Hygienist
Jennie Irene Marshall was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1875. Although the city was progressive for its size, the field of dentistry was still rudimentary, and dental hygiene was an unknown concept. The cause of dental disease was still not connected to oral hygiene. This book follows Irene Newman through her unexpected journey towards becoming the World’s First Dental Hygienist. With the new information being learned about dental disease, Irene and Dr. Alfred Fones singlehandedly opened the first school of dental hygiene, started the American Dental Hygienist’s Association, and changed the health status of the population of Bridgeport and beyond. This inspiring story shows the profound changes that occurred in American medical and dental health because of their efforts. Improved oral hygiene made profound changes in the Bridgeport school system, reducing rampant tooth decay in children. Bridgeport had the lowest fatality rate of any city of its size during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 due to improved immunity as a result of improved dental hygiene.
Irene's transformation from a struggling single mother to embracing confidence in herself and her profession will instill hope and inspiration in everyone.
Irene's transformation from a struggling single mother to embracing confidence in herself and her profession will instill hope and inspiration in everyone.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2024
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January 25, 2025
Did you know that during the 1918 Spanish Flu, the town of Bridgeport, Connecticut suffered significantly less deaths than other towns? It is theorized that this is because it was the first town to embrace taking care of their mouths with brushing, flossing, and regular dental hygiene appointments — which reduced their bacterial load, meaning their bodies could fight off the flu easier.
Irene Newman, the world’s first dental hygienist, and Dr. Alfred Fones, her lifelong friend and a dedicated dentist, were just two people briefly mentioned in a couple of paragraphs during my time in the dental hygiene program. I had little to no interest in them until I stumbled on this book.
The book Irene Newman: The World’s First Dental Hygienist really breathed life into their incredible story of how advanced this pair truly was in the dental field. Irene and Alfred were the rare few in the dental world of the early 1900s who actually believed in microbes, the importance of good oral hygiene, and that women belonged in dental roles at all.
They tirelessly fought for dentistry to finally focus on prevention of decay and infection. Irene was intelligent and tenacious, facing extreme prejudices for being a woman in the dental field, for advocating for something that was considered strange at the time, and she was even arrested simply for cleaning the teeth of Dr. Fones’ patients!
This book was truly an informative read that not only really impressed me and opened my eyes to all that went into the birth of dental hygiene, but also has so much life and keeps you wanting to find out more. I would recommend it not only to anyone in the dental field, but anyone with teeth at all. Do yourself a favor and check it out!
Irene Newman, the world’s first dental hygienist, and Dr. Alfred Fones, her lifelong friend and a dedicated dentist, were just two people briefly mentioned in a couple of paragraphs during my time in the dental hygiene program. I had little to no interest in them until I stumbled on this book.
The book Irene Newman: The World’s First Dental Hygienist really breathed life into their incredible story of how advanced this pair truly was in the dental field. Irene and Alfred were the rare few in the dental world of the early 1900s who actually believed in microbes, the importance of good oral hygiene, and that women belonged in dental roles at all.
They tirelessly fought for dentistry to finally focus on prevention of decay and infection. Irene was intelligent and tenacious, facing extreme prejudices for being a woman in the dental field, for advocating for something that was considered strange at the time, and she was even arrested simply for cleaning the teeth of Dr. Fones’ patients!
This book was truly an informative read that not only really impressed me and opened my eyes to all that went into the birth of dental hygiene, but also has so much life and keeps you wanting to find out more. I would recommend it not only to anyone in the dental field, but anyone with teeth at all. Do yourself a favor and check it out!
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