Civil_War_Dentisrty

Civil War Dentisrty The dental profession had gained some standing during the two decades that preceded the Civil War. In the secceding Confederate states, for example, there were about 500 dentists. Jefferson Davis, while serving as Secretary of War under Pierce, was an advocate for a dentistry corps. Perhaps this is why the Confederate Army had a dental program, while a similar idea by the Union Army was rejected by the War department. Confederate Surgeon General Moore was also quite supportive of the idea of Army dentists, leading one to comment that the dentists owed more to Moore "than to any man of modern times". Soldiers tended to neglect basic care of their teeth. Toothbrushes were somewhat scarce and the average diet left a lot to be desired. Dental operations usually also cost more than the common private soldier could afford... teeth, dentists, war, dental, confederate, army, while, times, surgeon, soldiers, one, moore, idea, commented, william, way, upper, union, under, two, twenty, turned, toothbrushes, though, thirty, tended, tartar, surgeons, supportive, steward, states, standing, source, somewhat, soldier, six, similar, set, serving, secretary, secceding, scarce, rifles, richmond, removal, rejected, rank, quite, program, profession, private