The first dental surgeon - tribute to women's day

On March 8 we celebrate International Women's Day, so we will honor on this date all professionals who, in some way, have some connection with the dental sector. In Brazil, until the end of the 70s, dentistry was a predominantly male profession, which gradually changed, until in the mid-80s it was possible to observe, within universities, that more women were graduating than men. The big turning point came in the 90s, when the majority of women reached the entire professional category.

The 19th century was a very difficult period for women to conquer their professional space, which is why the story of Lucy Beaman Hobbs Taylor became a great inspiration in the field of dentistry. Lucy, before becoming the first dental surgeon, had several refusals to enter medical school because she was a woman. She did not give up on her dream, she wanted to work improving people's health. After trying medical school several times, in 1861 she tried again to enter college, but now in dentistry. However, she was again denied access for the same reason.

She was not intimidated, she persisted with her dream. And it was then in 1863 that she managed to enter the College of Dental Surgery. Lucy Beaman, was the first woman to graduate in dentistry, also receiving a dental surgeon degree. The identification with the story of Dr Lucy, is also reflected today. In which millions of women still suffer from misoginization.

Women in Brazilian dentistry

This desire of many women to work with people's health is also reflected in Brazilian dentistry.

For some time the profession was mostly male, which no longer represents the reality of the sector in our country. According to data released by the Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO) in 2020, of the 484,450 professionals enrolled, 69.6% are women (337,336) and 30.4% are men (147,114). Among all those enrolled in the CFO, there is only a predominance of men in the age groups from 61 years. But, from the age of 60 onwards, women predominate and increasingly.

These data show that the proportion of women enrolled in the CFO increases every decade. Brazil is already the country with the most oral health professionals, and it is no wonder that Brazilian dentistry is the best in the world. Several advanced dentistry researches are concentrated in Brazil.

We at DENTFLEX believe that the key to the success of Brazilian dentistry is you, the woman, who perfected the methods, innovated in the dental market and generated thousands of opportunities.

On this very special day, we wish you, the woman, to continue making this world a little happier, with many smiles.

Be sure to share this article with all the women in dentistry you know.

Happy Women's Day - and may you achieve your dreams!

Source: Dental Office. Available at: https://www.dentaloffice.com.br/mulheres-na-odontologia/. Access on: 03/05/2021.