Overview

After World War II efforts were concentrated in the public health and preventative aspects of dentistry. Communities began to fluoridate their water supplies. Regular dental examinations were encouraged, and dental hygiene efforts were expanded. Over the next half-century, technological improvements had major effects both on preventative services and reconstructive techniques.

Background

In the early twentieth century, most people went to dentists only when they had a toothache. As a result, one out of five World War II military recruits in the United States failed to meet the requirement that they have at least twelve teeth: three pairs of matching incisors and three pairs of chewing teeth. Dental problems were the most common reason for rejecting potential soldiers. Finally, the dental standards had to be eliminated altogether in order to fill the ranks.

After the war, improving the dental health of the...