Lucy Hobbs Taylor was a pioneer for women in the dental profession. Her determination and relentless pursuit to forge a career in restorative dentistry opened not only new doors in the industry but also educational opportunities for women.

In 1866, Lucy Hobbs Taylor became the first woman to earn a doctorate in dental surgery. After walking a long and hard road to attain professional recognition, she proved herself as one of the most successful and well-respected dentists of her time and throughout history.

Lucy Hobbs Taylor
Source: Wikimedia

How Lucy Hobbs Taylor Became the First Female Dentist

Despite being denied access to two of the most prestigious dental schools in America in the mid-1800s, Lucy Hobbs Taylor continued to pursue a career in dentistry. This is her story.

1859

With limited professions available to women at the time, then-Lucy Beaman Hobbs decided to break the mold. After several years of teaching, she started pursuing a career in healthcare. Both the Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, denied Hobbs’ admission to their programs. Despite previously accepting some female students, they had reversed their policies.

An educator at the Eclectic Medical College, Charles A. Cleaveland, agreed to tutor Hobbs in the field of medicine. He suggested she pursue a dental degree after seeing her natural inclination to the field.

1861

Two years later, the dean of the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, Jonathan Taft, tutored Hobbs privately. He then helped her secure an apprenticeship with a recent college graduate and practicing dentist, Samuel Wardle. Once her apprenticeship was complete, she reapplied for a formal dentistry qualification. The college again denied her acceptance into their program.

Wardle advised Hobbs to start her own practice, which she opened in Cincinnati.

1862

Hobbs relocated to Bellevue, Iowa, where she practiced from late 1861. She then moved to McGregor, Iowa, where she could serve more clients, and practiced there until 1865.

1865

By July 1865, Hobbs’ perseverance had earned respect from colleagues, and the Iowa State Dental Society elected her to membership. In November, she was finally accepted as a senior at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery.

Due to her extensive previous education and experience along with the Society’s influence, she only had to attend only one semester to finally earn her Doctorate in Dental Surgery.

1866

Hobbs graduated as the first woman in the world with a Doctorate in Dental Surgery in February 1866. In May of the same year, she married a Civil War veteran, James Myrtle Taylor.

1867

Now known as Lucy Hobbs Taylor, she tutored her husband in restorative dentistry until he also earned his Doctorate in Dental Surgery.

The couple moved to Kansas and opened a practice together. With Lucy (also known as Dr. Lucy by her patients) catering to the women and children and James catering to the men, their practice was one of the most successful in the state. Lucy now also specialized in tooth reconstruction and false teeth.

1886

After almost 20 years of practicing together, James M. Taylor died. Lucy continued to see patients on a small scale, going into semi-retirement as she spent most of her time participating in women’s rights campaigns and charitable work.

1895-1910

After a life of dedication to restorative dentistry, Lucy officially reopened her practice in 1895 and continued serving her community until her death in 1910.

Contributions and Accomplishments in the Field of Restorative Dentistry

Lucy Hobbs Taylor not only forged her own path to becoming a dental professional, but she also paved the way for many women to follow in her footsteps.

Not only was she the first woman to receive a Doctorate in Dental Surgery (DDS), she was also the first woman in American history to be recognized by a statewide medical body, earning membership in both the Iowa and Illinois State Dental Societies. Additionally, she was the first woman sent as a delegate to the 1865 American Dental Association convention and invited as a lecturer at a state dental association the following year.

These accomplishments opened the door for other women to enter the field of restorative dentistry and general medicine. By 1880, 61 female dentists practiced in the United States. Twenty years later, the number stood at nearly 1,000. The Women's Dental Association of the United States was formed in 1892, and in 1896, Dr. James Truman introduced a resolution against gender-based discrimination to the ADA.

Taylor’s legacy lives on in numerous ways. For example, the American Association of Women Dentists honors outstanding women in the industry with its most prestigious recognition, the Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award. Lab coat and scrubs manufacturer Medelita also designed and named a lab coat in honor of Taylor.

Taylor was remarkable in her openness and recognition of the changing nature of orthodontia. As a restorative dentist, she also specialized in false teeth, seeing them not only as a mechanical operation but also as an art.

Personal Life of Lucy Hobbs Taylor

Lucy Hobbs Taylor was no stranger to hard work and dedication, even as a child. Born on March 14, 1833, she was the seventh of 10 siblings. Her parents, Benjamin and Lucy (Beaman) Hobbs died early, requiring her to start working at a young age to help support her siblings.

From 1845 to 1849, she attended Franklin Academy in Malone, New York, and worked as a teacher for 10 years before pursuing a healthcare career.

Lucy and James had no children, but they practiced dentistry together for just under 20 years before he passed away. After his death, Lucy continued dedicating her life to restorative dentistry and died in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1910. She is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

A female restorative dentist treats a patient
Source: Shutterstock

Restorative Dentistry for Modern Patients

We believe Lucy Hobbs Taylor would beam with pride if she could see how dentistry, specifically preventive care, teeth restoration and reconstruction, and esthetics, have evolved. Taylor’s specialization in false teeth in 1867, helped launch the field of restorative dentistry.

Celebrating its 125th year in 2022, Sterngold has been part of the continuous evolution of the dental industry. With just two staff members in the late 1890s, Sterngold was credited with manufacturing the first professional alloyed dental casting golds. Since then, Sterngold has continued to develop and make available, restorative products that position itself as a leading source for restorative dentistry.

Modern denture technology has revolutionized the way dentures are made; case in point: digital dentures. The process is faster, more accurate, and the dentures, more natural looking.

Contact our Sterngold team today for more information on our restorative products that include dental implants and attachments, digital solutions, as well as consumables.