Frank Abbott
Encyclopedia
Frank Abbott was president of the American Dental Association
(1888), president of the National Association of Dental Faculties (1895), a renowned dentist
, an author on dental subjects, and an inventor of dental instruments such as various types of chisels, pluggers, excavators and scalers, some of which are still in use in the 21st century.
family, he attended local schools in York County, Maine
and farmed in Shapleigh, Maine
until the age of 16, when he began to travel. Beginning in 1855, he studied dentistry under Dr. J.E. Ostrander in Oneida, New York
. At the age of 22 he opened his own dental practice in Johnstown, New York
, and married Catherine Ann Cuyler, with whom he would have three children.
Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War
, he served as a lieutenant
of the 115th New York Volunteer Infantry, and was captured at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. He returned as a part of a prisoner exchange.
. While there he was appointed as clinical lecturer
in New York College of Dentistry (1866), as Professor of Operative Dentistry (1868) and as dean
, (1869).
From 1894 - 1895 he failed in attempts to have the trustee
s there establish a Chair of Pathology
and Bacteriology
(with his son as incumbent) and to have the University of New York
regents replace an act of incorporation of the college with a new regent-approved charter.
Other subsequent initiatives of his also later failed. In addition to the invented dental instruments mentioned above, he also invented the first authomatic mallet
with an effective back-action. He also collected rare American history prints.
American Dental Association
The American Dental Association is an American professional association established in 1859 which has more than 155,000 members. Based in Chicago, the ADA is the world's largest and oldest national dental association and promotes good oral health to the public while representing the dental...
(1888), president of the National Association of Dental Faculties (1895), a renowned dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
, an author on dental subjects, and an inventor of dental instruments such as various types of chisels, pluggers, excavators and scalers, some of which are still in use in the 21st century.
Background
Born to a transplanted EnglishEnglish people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
family, he attended local schools in York County, Maine
York County, Maine
York County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, the population was 197,131. Its county seat is Alfred.Founded in 1636, it is the oldest county in Maine and one of the oldest in the United States....
and farmed in Shapleigh, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
until the age of 16, when he began to travel. Beginning in 1855, he studied dentistry under Dr. J.E. Ostrander in Oneida, New York
Oneida, New York
Oneida is a city in Madison County located west of Oneida Castle and east of Canastota, New York, United States. The population was 10,987 at the 2000 census. The city, like both Oneida County and the nearby silver and china maker, takes its name from the Oneida tribe...
. At the age of 22 he opened his own dental practice in Johnstown, New York
Johnstown (city), New York
Johnstown is a city and the county seat of Fulton County in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 Census, the city had population of 8,511. Recent estimates put the figure closer to 8,100. The city was named by its founder, Sir William Johnson after his son John Johnson...
, and married Catherine Ann Cuyler, with whom he would have three children.
Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he served as a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
of the 115th New York Volunteer Infantry, and was captured at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. He returned as a part of a prisoner exchange.
Dental career
After the civil war he returned to his practice. A year later he matriculated as a medical student at the City University of New YorkCity University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
. While there he was appointed as clinical lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
in New York College of Dentistry (1866), as Professor of Operative Dentistry (1868) and as dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
, (1869).
From 1894 - 1895 he failed in attempts to have the trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
s there establish a Chair of Pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
and Bacteriology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
(with his son as incumbent) and to have the University of New York
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
regents replace an act of incorporation of the college with a new regent-approved charter.
Other subsequent initiatives of his also later failed. In addition to the invented dental instruments mentioned above, he also invented the first authomatic mallet
Hammer
A hammer is a tool meant to deliver an impact to an object. The most common uses are for driving nails, fitting parts, forging metal and breaking up objects. Hammers are often designed for a specific purpose, and vary widely in their shape and structure. The usual features are a handle and a head,...
with an effective back-action. He also collected rare American history prints.
Notable publications
- Light vs. Heavy Gold Foil and Crystal Gold
- Transactions of the American Dental Association, 1870, pp. 130–33
- Indigestion, It's Causes and Effects
- Translations of the State Dental Society of New York, 1875, pp. 39–48
- Caries of the Teeth
- Dental Cosmos, XXI, 1879, pp. 56–64, 113-25, 177-84
- Pericementitis (Perostitis), Its Causes and Treatment
- Dental Cosmos, XXV, 1883, pp. 418–23
- Microscopical Studies upon the Absorption of the Roots of Temporary Teeth
- Translations of the State Dental Society of New York, 1884, pp. 45–53
- Hyperostosis of Roots of Teeth
- Transactions of the American Dental Association, 1886, pp. 105–24
- Odontoblasts in Their Relation to Developing Dentine, 1888, pp. 112–22
- Odontoblasts in Their Relation to Developing Dentine, 1889, pp. 39–53
- Growth of Enamel
- Dental Pathology and Practice (1896 textbook)