Illustration "Der Zanbrecher" from Eigentliche Beschreibung aller Stnde auf Erden (1568).
OHSU School of Dentistry
Digital photograph of a black and white illustration of a dentist from a 16th century work. Interpretive plaque reads: The Middle Ages. Through most of history, and in some cultures prior to 1700, dentistry was not identified as a distinct specialty. Whatever treatment was given might come from physicians, surgeons, barbers, and a variety of self-made practitioners such as the one portrayed here and known as Der Zanbrecher, (the tooth breaker).