The healing art of dentistry has long and distinguished history since human first begun to fashion tools they have cleaned and cared for their teeth. In very ancient times significant strides were made in the field of dentistry and dental surgery. As early as the sixth century BC, the Etruscans (the ancient Romans) knew how to construct prosthesis out of gold and the teeth of cattle. A cleft palate repair was carried out in China 2200 years ago and Prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon him) had introduced basic oral hygiene into the ritual of Islam by the seventh Century AD.

From the very earliest time humans have been plagued by dental problems and have sought a variety of means to alleviate it. The first dental healers were physicians, but by the Middle-Ages the barber-surgeons of Europe had specialized in the care of teeth. These practitioners learned by trial and error and by observation. By the fifteenth century they had made more progress in their new field than had the physicians in the long established practice of medicine. The pace of achievement redoubled in the eighteen century. When the French physician Pierra Fauchard wrote his great book titled “Le chirurgien dentist” dentistry as a solid profession was established. The field was based at last on sound rational and scientific principles.

Today the profession of dentistry is looked upon by the public with respect and admiration. However, many dental specialists know nothing about the struggle that take place to advance the profession or the great contributions that have been made by dentistry to human welfare, the most significant of which is has been surgical anaesthesia.

In this overview the art of dentistry and its development through the different historic era will be discussed. The innovations and contribution done by various cultures are highlighted. The great physicians of all times, as Hesi-Re, the first known physician specialized in treatment of teeth, and Hippocrates, Celsus Galen and others, up to the nineteenth and twenty centuries are to be recognized.

The story of development of restorative dental materials and the discovery of the use of nitrous oxide anaesthesia are to be discussed. In addition the beginning of dental education and foundation of the first dental association will be disclosed.