Omaha daily bee., 1896-06-07
WOMEN AS DENTISTS.


Attractions md Drawbacks of the
Dental ProfessfOn-
LINCOLN, Neb., June 81 have been
asked so frequently to write an article for
the daily press upon the subject of what
have chosen as an avocation, Dentistry"
that l have almost come to the conclusion
| that woman dentist in the west Is a curl
| osity. In the east there are quite number
of women following the profession of
there is but one other Although 1t is
profession or work that a woman can ac-
complish much in. just the same as In the
practice OF medicine, there are but few that
seem to have the nerve" to undertake the
work But In my opinion it does not take
near the nerve to practice dentistry 1t
does to take UP medicine Nevertheless
the average woman Ia more adapted to
studying medicine. as dentistry requires one
with a mechanical idea and q knack to
handle Instruments This is one reason
why / have chosen dentistry. have more
than the ordinary mechanical genius. and
dentistry gives me field to develope this
idea Then l find that the best means for
me to be sef-supporting.
or course there are parts of all professions
for which a woman Is more adapted to the
work than man. The same In dentistry,
Now ! expect to find mcst of my work in
the caring OF womens and childrens teeth.
woman is much more adapted to taking
care of child than man and most chill
dren are not SO timid toward them. There
are several women dentists who have their
office independent but asa rule they are
associated with dentist of the sterner SEX
By this means some Of the most disagreeable
and hard work may be avoided.
In regard to what intend to accomplish
as a lady dentist 1 hardly know myself
do not know as there are any special results,
besides making honest livelihood in
manner which am capable of doing to a
good advantage, as l have the mechanical
genius to do my work well. There are no
preparations for the practice Of dentistry
besides good education firot, then to gain a
thorough knowledge Of dentistry by studying
ana working under a competent dentist and
attending frst-class dental school. My
own preparations are: / have worked In an
Office about five years and am now getting
my school education.
AS to peculiar or humorous incidents either
In my study or Office have had none as I
always looked upon the seriousness OF those
having trouble With their dental organs,
rather than on the humorous side. The
most amusing things that see are the ques-
uons asked. the following being the most
common one. DO you think, you are strong
enough TO pull tooth?" not knowing that
extracting teeth does not depend upon the
strength OF the operator. Then others ask
fram improper education or a lack OF knowl-
edge on dental subjects such as: ''If lose
my eye teeth (meaning superior euspids)
VIII Il cause the loss Of nay eyesight?"
VIII losing my stomach teeth (meanlng the
inferior enspids) interfere with my diges-
tiong' Don't you think II is apt 70 cause
insanity by losing my wisdom teeth" (mean-
ing third molaD2. etc. So from this you
can see the lack Of education people have on
the subject
Everything has its drawbacks and dent !
lstry Is far from an exception especially |
with woman. First 1t requires Sc. much |
STUDY and work to become thorough |