February is … Black History Month

Up until the late 1800s, Black dentists were nearly unheard of. When the first US dental school opened in 1840, Black students were denied the opportunity to apply. Black Americans were not accepted for training at any dental schools until 1867, when Harvard University accepted the first Black dental student as part of its first dental class. Despite their many barriers, early Black dental professionals became pioneers in the dental industry as a whole and helped pave the way for future generations of dentists.

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Check out this interactive timeline created by the UCLA School of Dentistry, on Black Contributions to Oral Health Care.