Early Life and Career
- Born in Saint-Denis-de-Gastines in 1679
- Joined the French Royal Navy at age 15
- Influenced by Alexander Poteleret, a surgeon major
- Learned about dental ailments suffered by sailors on long voyages
- Became a combat medic as Poteleret's protégé
- Settled down in Angers and practiced medicine at the University of Angers Hospital
- Pioneered scientific oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Described himself as a 'Chirurgien Dentiste' (surgical dentist)
- Considered a highly skilled surgeon by his colleagues
Contributions to Dentistry
- Dentistry before Fauchard was often performed by barbers or tooth-pullers
- Tooth-pullers used imprecise tools and sometimes caused more harm than good
- Fauchard wanted to distance himself from tooth-pullers and elevate dentistry to a science
- His book introduced new ideas and techniques to dentistry
- Described symptoms of 103 mouth diseases and their treatment
- Disproved the German tooth worm theory
- Identified sugar as the cause of dental caries
- Introduced dental fillings for cavities, using amalgams like lead and gold
- Advocated for regular dental cleanings and the use of braces for teeth correction
Innovations and Medical Practices
- Described proper patient greeting and seating position
- Recommended that dentists stand behind patients to help them relax
- Introduced the concept of a dentist's chair light
- Developed surgical instruments for oral surgery, including saws and forceps
- Emphasised the importance of avoiding dental charlatans and their harmful techniques
Hygiene
- Fauchard emphasised the importance of mouth hygiene
- Recommended washing the mouth with water and rubbing the teeth with a wet sponge
- Suggested using a mixture of coral, dragons blood, and other ingredients as a dentrifice
- Discouraged the use of harmful dentrifice ingredients like brick and lemon juice
- Recommended using sponge toothbrushes instead of cloth or linen ones
Influence and Legacy
- Influenced young medical minds during the age of enlightenment in France
- Inspired dentists like Robert Bunon and Etienne Bourdet in their research and advancements
- Considered a pioneer and founder of modern dentistry by Chapin A. Harris
- Published dental treatise in the 18th century, translated to English in 1946
- The Pierre Fauchard Academy of Dentistry was founded in his honor in 1936
- Denounced medical malpractice in dentistry and exposed unqualified dentists
- Died at the age of 82 in Paris in 1761
- Designated as 'Maitre Chirurgien-Dentiste' in his burial record
- Featured on a stamp in France to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his death
- Noted as a significant figure in the history of dentistry by historians and scholars
Pierre Fauchard (2 January 1679 – 21 March 1761) was a French physician, credited as being the "father of modern dentistry". He is widely known for writing the first complete scientific description of dentistry, Le Chirurgien Dentiste ("The Surgeon Dentist"), published in 1728. The book described basic oral anatomy and function, signs and symptoms of oral pathology, operative methods for removing decay and restoring teeth, periodontal disease (pyorrhea), orthodontics, replacement of missing teeth, and tooth transplantation.
Pierre Fauchard | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Fauchard by J. Le. Bel | |
| Born | 2 January 1679 |
| Died | 21 March 1761 (aged 82) |
| Known for | Introduction of many dental practices |
| Awards | The Pierre Fauchard Academy is named after him |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Medicine, dentistry |
| Institutions | French Royal Navy, Hospital of the University of Angers |
