History and Scope of Periodontology

Periodontics  ›  Foundations

History, Introduction & Scope of Periodontology

High-yield revision notes with linked practice questions, written for dental students and candidates preparing for the ADC and other licensing examinations.

High-yield notes

Father of periodontology: John W. Riggs

Bacterial plaque was first recognized by J Leon Williams

Germ theory of diseases was given by louis Pasteur

First individual to identify bacteria as a cause of periodontal disease

First true oral microbiologist: Willoughy D. Miller (W.D. Miller)

The famous experiment in Sri Lankan tea worker "experimental gingivitis

in men" was done by: Loe et.al. in 1965

Father of oral hygiene and inventor of dental floss: Levy Spear parmly

Practice questions

Select an option to check your answer. Answers are shown below each question.

Question 1

Periodontics is the science that deals with the

  • AStudy of periodontium in health and disease condition
  • BPrevention and treatment of periodontal disease
  • CEtiology of periodontal disease
  • DAll of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Question 2

Who described scaling of teeth with a sophisticated set of instruments in 10th century ?

  • APlato
  • BEtruscans
  • CIbn Sina
  • DAbul-Qasim
Answer: D. Abul-Qasim
Question 3

Who was the first person to describe oral bacterial flora from a sample of material taken from his own gingival tissue?

  • AAnton Von Leuwenhoek
  • BEustachius
  • CPierre Fauchard
  • DGlickman
Answer: A. Anton Von Leuwenhoek
Question 4

Which ancient medical book recommended cleaning the teeth twice a day with an astringent stick that has been chewed into a brush form?

  • AEberus papyrus
  • BEdwin Smith surgical papyrus
  • CSushrutha Samhita
  • DCharaka Samhita
Answer: D. Charaka Samhita
Question 5

First dentist to practice only periodontics was

  • AGlickman
  • BCarranza
  • CJohn W. Riggs
  • DPierre Fauchard
Answer: C. John W. Riggs Carranza 11th ed page-5
Question 6

Levi Spear Parmly is

  • Afather of oral hygiene
  • Binventor of dental floss
  • Cboth of the above
  • Dnone of above
Answer: C. both of the above Carranza 11th ed page-5
Question 7

The most common disease found in the embalmed bodies of ancient Egyptians

  • ARickets
  • BArthritis
  • CPeriodontal disease
  • DDental Caries
Answer: C. Periodontal disease

These notes are compiled from standard periodontology texts for study purposes. They are a revision aid, not a substitute for your own reading or current clinical guidelines. If you spot an error, please leave a comment.