5 Badass Dentists in History

History is full of badasses—and some of them just happened to be dentists. From revolutionaries to soldiers, these dentists made their mark far beyond the dental chair. We’ll start with the most famous and work our way down.

Paul Revere

Best known for his role in the American Revolution, Paul Revere was also a dentist for a short time. His dental tools are still preserved today, and old newspaper ads promoting his dental services still exist.

Beyond dentistry and patriotism, Revere was a master metalworker and became the first American to successfully roll copper into sheets.

John Henry “Doc” Holliday

Doc Holliday is famous for his role in the O.K. Corral gunfight alongside Wyatt Earp. What many people don’t know is that he earned a degree in dentistry at just 21 years old.

He briefly practiced dentistry in Georgia before moving west, where he made a living as a professional gambler. Despite his violent reputation, he didn’t die in a gunfight—tuberculosis ultimately claimed his life.

Robert Tanner Freeman

Robert Tanner Freeman broke barriers as one of the first students admitted to Harvard’s early dental program. He became the first Black person in the United States to earn a dental degree.

Although his life was tragically cut short just four years after graduation due to the plague, his legacy helped pave the way for greater acceptance of Black students in American dental schools.

Lucy Hobbs Taylor

As a woman in the mid-1800s, Lucy Hobbs Taylor faced repeated discrimination. She was denied admission to dental schools simply because of her gender.

Undeterred, she pursued private mentorship and eventually practiced dentistry in Iowa without a degree. When the Ohio College of Dentistry finally opened enrollment to women, she enrolled and became the first woman in the world to graduate from a dental college.

Benjamin Lewis Salomon

Benjamin Lewis Salomon served as an Army dentist during World War II. After a surgeon in his battalion was wounded, Salomon stepped in and was placed on the front lines.

During an intense battle, enemy forces overran his position. Salomon defended the field hospital while wounded soldiers were evacuated, ultimately sacrificing his life. He was later found with 98 enemy troops in front of him and received the Medal of Honor for his heroism.

While we may not be quite as badass as these dentists, we like to think we’re doing our part in the fight against tooth decay. We don’t need medals—we just want to take great care of your smile.