John Tomes facts for kids
Sir John Tomes (born March 21, 1815 – died July 29, 1895) was a very important English dental surgeon. He is remembered for helping to make dentistry a respected and official profession.
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Life of a Dental Pioneer
John Tomes was born in 1815 in a place called Weston-on-Avon. When he was 16, he started training to be a doctor in Evesham. Later, he went to medical schools in London, including King's College, London and the Middlesex Hospital.
While studying, Tomes did research on bones and teeth. This work caught the attention of famous doctors who suggested he focus on dental surgery. He became a member of the College of Surgeons of England in 1839 and started his own dental practice.
Making Dentistry Safer
In 1847, a new way to make patients sleep during surgery, called ether anesthesia, was introduced. John Tomes quickly started using it at the Middlesex Hospital for pulling teeth and other operations. This made dental procedures much less painful and scary for patients.
In 1850, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists and researchers.
Building the Dental Profession
John Tomes believed that dentists should be properly trained and recognized, just like other surgeons. He worked hard to make this happen.
- In 1858, he successfully convinced the Royal College of Surgeons to offer a special license for dental surgeons. This meant dentists had to pass exams and meet certain standards.
- He also helped start the Odontological Society of London in 1856. This was a group where dentists could share ideas and learn from each other.
- In 1858, he helped create the Dental Hospital of London. This was a special hospital just for teeth, and Tomes was the first to teach students there how to treat patients.
About 20 years after the dental license was created, Tomes worked with another dentist, James Smith Turner, to get the Dentists Act 1878 passed. This law made it a requirement for all dental professionals to be officially registered. This was a huge step in making sure people got safe and good dental care.
John Tomes retired in 1876. He was honored for his work and was knighted in 1886, which is why he is known as Sir John Tomes. He passed away in 1895.
Important Works and Inventions
Sir John Tomes was not just a great dentist; he was also an inventor and a writer.
New Dental Tools
At the Middlesex Hospital, Tomes invented new tools for pulling teeth. He created special forceps (like pliers) that were shaped to fit teeth better. Before this, dentists used a tool called a "dental key," which could be quite rough. Tomes's new forceps made tooth extractions much safer and easier.
He also invented a machine in 1845 that could copy complex curved shapes in ivory. He won a gold medal for this invention!
Books and Research
Tomes wrote important books that became standard guides for dentists:
- A Course of Lectures on Dental Physiology and Surgery (1848): These were his lectures from the Middlesex Hospital, explaining how teeth work and how to treat them.
- A System of Dental Surgery (1859): This book became a key resource for dentists. His son, Charles Sissmore Tomes, later updated it.
He also wrote many scientific papers about bones and teeth. His research on a part of the tooth called dentine led to the discovery of tiny structures known as "Tomes's fibrils."
After his death, over 1300 of the tooth samples and preparations he and his son made were given to the Royal College of Surgeons. This collection is still used today to study mammal teeth.
Family Life
In 1844, John Tomes married Jane Sibley. They had one son, Sir Charles Sissmore Tomes, who followed in his father's footsteps and also became a famous dental surgeon.
See also
- Tomes's fibers
- Tomes's process
