Irene Newman: The World's First Dental Hygienist
Why we picked it
This inspiring biography traces Irene Newman's remarkable journey from struggling single mother to the world's first dental hygienist, co-founder of the first dental hygiene school, and a driving force behind the American Dental Hygienists' Association and lasting improvements in children's oral health.
Our review
In 1875, dental hygiene did not exist as a concept. By the time Jennie Irene Newman was done, it had a profession, a school, and a national association behind it. This inspiring biography follows a struggling single mother who, alongside Dr. Alfred Fones, invented the field of dental hygiene, transformed the oral health of an entire city's schoolchildren, and may have helped Bridgeport survive the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic with the lowest fatality rate of any American city its size.
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Career pages on ImagineMyFuture that list this resource.
About this book
From the product listing
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 Worlds 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 Hygienists 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.Irenes transformation from a struggling single mother to embracing confidence in herself and her profession will instill hope and inspiration in everyone.
Resource details
- Resource type
- Book
- Age ranges
- High School
- Careers
- Dental Hygienist
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